U.S. patent application number 14/272540 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-12 for tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices and methods of using same.
The applicant listed for this patent is John P. Carney. Invention is credited to John P. Carney.
Application Number | 20150320129 14/272540 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54366658 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150320129 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carney; John P. |
November 12, 2015 |
TIE SUPPORTING, ANCHORING AND/OR SECURING APPARATUSES OR DEVICES
AND METHODS OF USING SAME
Abstract
Tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or
devices, and methods of using same, are provided. The apparatuses
or devices include a buttress element operating to hold and/or
support at least a portion of a tie, thereby preventing the
loosening, shifting, etc. of that portion of the tie. The
apparatuses or devices may further include at least one of a body
or flex frame and a cinch mechanism, which extend(s) from the
buttress element, and that operate(s) to lock and unlock a portion
of a tie therein, thereby preventing the shifting, changing,
moving, etc. of the tie. The flex frame may be opened by pinching
or applying a force thereto and closed by releasing or removing the
force applied thereto. The cinch mechanism may be opened by
aligning holes thereof and closed or locked by misaligning holes
thereof. The cinch mechanism may be integrated with a portion of
the buttress element.
Inventors: |
Carney; John P.; (Ridgewood,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Carney; John P. |
Ridgewood |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54366658 |
Appl. No.: |
14/272540 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/66.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 25/008 20130101;
Y10T 24/1986 20150115; A41D 25/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 25/00 20060101
A41D025/00 |
Claims
1. A tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus,
comprising: a body or flex frame having a first portion with first
and second ends thereof and a second portion with first and second
ends thereof, the first end of the first portion being connected to
the first end of the second portion, the second end of the first
portion operating to be releasably or permanently connected to the
second end of the second portion, and the first and second portions
being sized and shaped to define a hole or a zone of space
therebetween, the hole or zone of space of the body or flex frame
operating to be widened and/or opened to receive a portion of a tie
therein and to be narrowed and/or closed to hold the portion of the
tie therein, and a buttress element connected to and extending from
the body or flex frame, the buttress element having a first portion
and a second portion, at least one of the first portion of the
buttress element and the second portion of the buttress element
extending from the body or flex frame, the first and second
portions being sized and shaped to define a zone of space
therebetween and operating to receive and hold at least a portion
of a tie therein, wherein the first and second portions of the body
or flex frame are springingly biased towards each other.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of: the apparatus
operates to keep the tie in position and prevent at least one of:
loosening of the tie, shifting of the tie, and moving of the tie;
the apparatus operates to prevent a knot of the tie from loosening,
slipping, and/or becoming undone; the apparatus operates to be
installed or placed on the tie after the tie is placed in a
predetermined position on a user; the apparatus is disposed, or
substantially disposed, on a first portion of the tie, wherein the
first portion includes at least one of: a knot; a front portion or
side; a middle portion; a back portion or side; a backside portion
where the front side of a tie may be one or more sides of the tie
facing away from the user and the backside of the tie may be one or
more sides of the tie facing towards the user and/or located
between the user and the front side of the tie; a smaller portion
of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; a larger
portion of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; and a
portion of the tie located between both cloth portions of the tie;
the apparatus further comprises a cinch mechanism having at least a
first hole and a second hole, the cinch mechanism operating to: (i)
align and misalign the first and second holes thereof; (ii) further
secure, anchor and/or support the portion of the tie disposed in,
and extending through, the first and second holes when the first
and second holes are misaligned; and (ii) insert the portion of the
tie into and through the first and second holes, and/or release the
portion of the tie disposed in, and extending through, the first
and second holes when the at least first and second holes are
aligned; and the apparatus further comprises a pin and pin
receptacle to further anchor, secure, support and/or grip the tie,
wherein the pin operates to pierce and grip a portion of the
tie.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of: the buttress
element is: (i) built into, made integral with, and/or permanently
connected to the body or flex frame; or (ii) releasably connectable
to the body or flex frame; the buttress element and the body or
flex frame operates to be connected to each other for use and then
disconnected from each other after use, during manufacturing, for
storage, and/or for shipment; the buttress element and the body or
flex frame are connected by at least one of: gluing, welding,
press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding,
clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; the buttress
element includes at least one clip or clasp or other connecting
means connected to, and extending from, a base of the buttress
element or a base of at least one of the first portion and the
second portion of the buttress element, the at least one clip or
clasp or other connecting means operating to releasably connect the
buttress element to the body or flex frame; and the other
connecting means include at least one of another clip, another
clasp, at least one screw, and at least one hook.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the body or flex frame is at
least one of: sized and shaped to operate to receive and hold a
portion of the tie in the hole or zone of space thereof; sized and
shaped to operate to receive and hold a portion of the tie therein;
substantially O or 0 shaped; substantially O or 0 shaped, thereby
defining the hole or the zone of space, such that any portion of
the tie disposed therein is encompassed by the body or flex frame;
opened and/or widened when a force or a pressure is applied against
the ends of the first and second portions, thereby opening and/or
widening the hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame;
opened and/or widened when a force or a pressure is applied against
the ends of the first and second portions, thereby opening and/or
widening the hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame,
wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a
predetermined, pre-selected amount; closed and/or narrowed when the
force or the pressure is removed from the ends of the first and
second portions, thereby closing and/or narrowing the hole or the
zone of space of the body or flex frame; and closed and/or narrowed
when the force or the pressure is removed from the ends of the
first and second portions, thereby closing and/or narrowing the
hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame, such that the
body or flex frame operates to return to its original, at-rest
position, orientation and/or configuration, thereby having a
resilient elasticity.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the body or flex frame further
comprises at least one of: a clip; a clip that is U, V, C, (and/or
) shaped and/or substantially U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped; a
component having a spring-like bias; and at least two components
that are springingly biased towards each other.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of: the springing
bias of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame is
defined and provided by the size and shape of the first and second
portions of the body or flex frame; the springing bias of the first
and second portions of the body or flex frame is modifiable by
changing the size and/or shape of the first and second portions of
the body or flex frame; the first and second portions of the body
or flex frame are U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped and/or substantially U,
V, C, (and/or ) shaped; the first and second portions of the body
or flex frame are connected to each other; the first and second
portions of the body or flex frame are positioned and/or connected
to each other such that the connected first and second portions
have a shape that is at least one of ] [, > < and ) (; when
the body or flex frame is in its original, at-rest position,
orientation and/or configuration, the body or flex frame operates,
and, therefore, the first and second portions of the flex frame
operate, to grip and hold the tie and/or a portion of the tie in a
preselected, predetermined position, orientation and/or
configuration; the first and second portions of the body or flex
frame are oriented and/or connected to each other such that each
has respective first or inside surfaces and second or outside
surfaces; the first or inside surfaces of the first and second
portions of the body or flex frame substantially face each other;
the first or inside surfaces of the first and second portions of
the body or flex frame define the hole or the zone of space
therebetween; the second or outside surfaces of the first and
second portions of the body or flex frame substantially face away
from each other; the second or outside surfaces of the first and
second portions of the body or flex frame define a perimeter of the
body or flex frame; the first and second portions of the body or
flex frame extend along, substantially along, substantially
parallel to, and/or parallel to a longitudinal axis extending
through the apparatus; when the body or flex frame is in the
original, at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration, the
first or inside surfaces and at least respective sections of the
second or outside surfaces are parallel or substantially parallel
to each other; the body or flex frame includes at least one of one
or more elevations, one or more depressions, one or more
protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or
more concave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped
surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces to better grip,
support, anchor and/or secure the tie; the at least one of one or
more elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions,
one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave
contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one
or more chamfered surfaces are located on at least one of: at least
one of the first or inside surfaces and at least one of the second
or outside surfaces; the first and second portions of the body or
flex frame have the same or substantially the same width, height
and length or have at least one of the width, height and length
thereof being different; the first and second portions of the body
or flex frame are built into, made integral with, and/or
permanently connected to each other or are releasably connected to
each other via one or more releasable connection means; and the
releasable connection means include at least one of: one or more
hinges, one or more pin-receptacle combinations and one or more
latches.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of: the buttress
element operates to prevent movement of the tie and/or to prevent
the knot of the tie from loosening; one or more portions of the
knot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the
buttress element; one or more portions of the knot of the tie
and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the zone of space
between the first and second portions of the buttress element; the
buttress element is U or V shaped or substantially U or V shaped;
the first and second portions of the buttress element are connected
directly or indirectly to the body or flex frame and are oriented
such that the first and second portions of the buttress element
define and form the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of
the buttress element; the first and second portions of the buttress
element are connected to each other and oriented such that the
first and second portions of the buttress element define and form
the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of the buttress
element; the buttress element has one of the following geometric
shapes: substantially circular, circular, substantially
semi-circular, semi-circular, ovular, semi-ovular, point or
pointed, conical, substantially conical, post-like, pillar-like,
bar-like, spring-like and coil-like; the buttress element extends
from the body or flex frame along an axis that is a different axis
than the longitudinal axis of, and/or extending through, the body
or flex frame; the buttress element: (i) is perpendicular,
transverse, substantially perpendicular and/or substantially
transverse to the body or flex frame; or (ii) extends from the body
or flex frame at any other predetermined, preselected angle, the
predetermined, preselected angle being at least one of: 45 degrees,
60 degrees, 30 degrees, anywhere in the range of about 20 degrees
to about 85 degrees; anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to
about 85 degrees, and anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to
about 180 degrees; the buttress element includes at least one of
one or more elevations, one or more depressions, one or more
protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or
more concave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped
surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces to better grip,
support, anchor and/or secure the tie; the first portion of the
buttress element includes at least one curved portion such that the
first portion of the buttress element extends from the second
portion of the buttress element for a predetermined distance and
then curves and continues to extend such that the remainder of the
first portion of the buttress element is parallel or substantially
parallel to the second portion of the buttress element; the first
and second portions of the buttress element have the same or
substantially the same width, height and length or have at least
one of the width, height and length thereof being different; and
the first and second portions of the buttress element are built
into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to each
other or are releasably connected to each other via one or more
releasable connection means.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of: the body or
flex frame further comprises a hinge on one end thereof and one or
more receptacles on the other end thereof; the first and second
portions of the body or flex frame are connected at at least one of
the first and second ends thereof by the hinge; the other of the at
least one of the first and second ends of the first and second
portions of the body or flex frame operate to be releasably
connected/disconnected by a pin-receptacle combination including
the one or more receptacles; the pin-receptacle combination
comprises: (i) one or more receptacles disposed at the other of the
at least one of the first and second ends of the first portion or
the second portion of the body or flex frame; (ii) at least one
receptacle disposed at the other of the at least one of the first
and second ends of the other of the first portion or the second
portion of the body or flex frame; and (iii) a pin that operates to
be removably disposed in the one or more receptacles and the at
least one receptacle of the body or flex frame when all of the
receptacles are aligned, thereby locking, and connecting together,
the other of the at least one of the first and second ends of the
first and second portions of the body or flex frame when the pin is
located in the one or more receptacles and the at least one
receptacle of the body or flex frame and thereby unlocking the
other of the at least one of the first and second ends of the first
and second portions of the body or flex frame when the pin is
removed from the one or more receptacles and the at least one
receptacle of the body or flex frame; and the pin mates with the
one or more receptacles and the at least one receptacle of the body
or flex frame to prevent piercing or injury to the user of the
apparatus.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of: the body or
flex frame further comprises a magnet to magnet or magnet to metal
combination that operates to further anchor the portion of the knot
of the tie and/or the tie disposed in the body or flex frame; the
first and second portions of the body or flex frame include
material that is attracted to each other via one or more magnetic
forces; a first magnet is disposed on, and/or connected to, the
buttress element, and a second magnet is disposed such that one or
more portions of the tie are located between the magnets, thereby
further anchoring, supporting and/or securing the tie therebetween;
the first magnet is built into, made integral with, and/or
permanently connected to the buttress element, or is connected to
the buttress element using at least one of: gluing, welding,
press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding,
clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; and one or more
components of the apparatus are made of at least one of: plastic,
clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa
wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material
that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer,
thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather,
suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or
rigid material, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene,
carbon fiber, and fiber.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of: the body or
flex frame further comprises a hinge on at least one end thereof
that operates to hold together and connect at least one of the
first and second ends of the first and second portions of the body
or flex frame; the body or flex frame further comprises a magnet to
magnet or magnet to metal combination that operates to at least one
of: (i) hold the first portion and the second portion of the body
or flex frame together via one or more magnetic forces; (ii)
connect directly and/or indirectly, and hold together, at least one
of the first and second ends of the first and second portions of
the body or flex frame via one or more magnetic forces, thereby
anchoring the portion of the knot of the tie and/or the tie
disposed in the body or flex frame; (iii) be opened by the
application of one or more forces or pressures to the first and
second portions of the body or flex frame; and (iv) be opened by
the application of one or more forces or pressures to the first and
second portions of the body or flex frame, wherein the one or more
forces or pressures applied to the first portion of the body or
flex frame and the one or more forces or pressures applied to the
second portion of the body or flex frame are applied in
substantially opposite or opposite directions; the first and second
portions of the body or flex frame include material that is
attracted to each other via one or more magnetic forces; the first
and second portions of the body or flex frame include material that
is attracted to each other via one or more magnetic forces while
the first and second portions of the body or flex frame retain
their respective resilient flexibility and spring-like bias; at
least one of the first and second portions of the body or flex
frame include at least one of a magnet, magnetic metal, metals that
are attracted to magnets and metals that operate to act as one or
more magnets; a first magnet is disposed on, and/or connected to,
the buttress element, and a second magnet is disposed such that one
or more portions of the tie are located between the magnets,
thereby further anchoring, supporting and/or securing the tie
therebetween; the first magnet is built into, made integral with,
and/or permanently connected to the buttress element, or is
connected to the buttress element using at least one of: gluing,
welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering,
molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; and
one or more components of the apparatus are made of at least one
of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer
foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material,
a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material,
polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl,
leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a
hard or rigid material, metal, magnetic material,
polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber.
11. A tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus,
comprising: a cinch mechanism having at least a first hole and at
least a second hole, the at least first hole and the at least
second hole operating to align and misalign with each other such
that when the at least first hole and the at least second hole are
aligned a portion of a tie may be disposed therethrough and/or
removed therefrom and when the at least first hole and the at least
second hole are misaligned the at least first hole and the at least
second hole operate to hold the portion of the tie disposed
therethrough, thereby securing, anchoring and/or supporting the
portion of the tie; and a buttress element connected to and
extending from the cinch mechanism, the buttress element having a
first portion and a second portion, at least one of the first and
second portions extending from the cinch mechanism, the first and
second portions being sized and shaped to define a zone of space
therebetween and operating to receive and hold at least a portion
of a tie therein.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of: the
apparatus operates to keep the tie in position and prevent at least
one of: loosening of the tie, shifting of the tie, and moving of
the tie; the apparatus operates to prevent a knot of the tie from
loosening, slipping, and/or becoming undone; the apparatus operates
to be installed or placed on the tie after the tie is placed in a
predetermined position on a user; the apparatus is disposed, or
substantially disposed, on a first portion of the tie, wherein the
first portion includes at least one of: a knot; a front portion or
side; a middle portion; a back portion or side; a backside portion
where the front side of a tie may be one or more sides of the tie
facing away from the user and the backside of the tie may be one or
more sides of the tie facing towards the user and/or located
between the user and the front side of the tie; a smaller portion
of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; a larger
portion of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; and a
portion of the tie located between both cloth portions of the tie;
and the apparatus further comprises a pin and pin receptacle to
further anchor, secure, support and/or grip the tie, wherein the
pin operates to pierce and grip a portion of the tie.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of: the
buttress element: (i) is built into, made integral with, and/or
permanently connected to the cinch mechanism; (ii) is releasably
connectable to the cinch mechanism, or (iii) has at least one
portion that is built into, made integral with, and/or permanently
connected to the cinch mechanism and at least another portion that
is releasably connectable to the cinch mechanism; the buttress
element and the cinch mechanism operate to be connected to each
other for use and then disconnected from each other after use,
during manufacturing, for storage, and/or for shipment; the
buttress element and the cinch mechanism are connected by at least
one of: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing,
adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and
friction-fitting; the buttress element includes at least one clip
or clasp or other connecting means connected to, and extending
from, a base of the buttress element or a base of at least one of
the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element,
the at least one clip or clasp or other connecting means operating
to releasably connect the buttress element or a least one of the
first portion and the second portion of the buttress element to the
cinch mechanism; and the other connecting means include at least
one of another clip, another clasp, at least one screw, and at
least one hook.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cinch mechanism at least
one of: is sized and shaped to operate to receive and hold a
portion of the tie in the at least first hole and the at least
second hole thereof; is sized and shaped to operate to receive and
hold a portion of the tie therein and/or therethrough; has one or
more surfaces or walls defining an interior zone of space, such
that any portion of the tie disposed therein is encompassed by the
cinch mechanism or is located in the interior zone of space of the
cinch mechanism; further comprises at least one spring and at least
one button or actuation element, the at least one button or
actuation element operating to compress and/or decompress the
spring and including at least one of the at least first hole and
the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism such that the
compression and/or the decompression of the spring operates to
align and/or misalign the at least first hole and the at least
second hole; is opened and/or has its at least first hole and at
least second hole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to
the at least one button or actuation element, thereby compressing
and/or decompressing the spring; is opened and/or has the at least
first hole and the at least second hole thereof aligned when a
force or a pressure is applied to the at least one button or
actuation element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the
spring, wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a
predetermined, pre-selected amount; is closed and/or has the at
least first hole and the at least second hole thereof misaligned
when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at
least one button or actuation element, thereby compressing and/or
decompressing the spring; and is closed and/or has the at least
first hole and the at least second hole thereof misaligned when a
force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least
one button or actuation element, thereby compressing and/or
decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure is
minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of: the at
least first hole and the at least second hole are positioned on the
cinch mechanism such that at least an axis, a line or a plane
passes therethrough and/or the at least first hole and the at least
second hole are co-linear and/or co-planar; at least one of the at
least first hole and the at least second hole is disposed on and in
communication with one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch
mechanism; the at least first hole is disposed on and in
communication with one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch
mechanism and the at least second hole is disposed on and in
communication with one or more other surfaces or walls of the cinch
mechanism; one of the at least first hole and the at least second
hole is disposed on and in communication with one or more surfaces
or walls of the cinch mechanism and the other of the at least first
hole and the at least second hole is disposed on and in
communication with the button or actuation element of the cinch
mechanism; the geometry of at least one cross-section of the cinch
mechanism is at least one of: triangular, substantially triangular,
rectangular, substantially rectangular, square-shaped,
substantially square-shaped, parallelogram-shaped, substantially
parallelogram-shaped, conical, substantially conical, cylindrical,
substantially cylindrical, pentagonal and substantially pentagonal;
the cinch mechanism includes at least one of one or more
elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one
or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave
contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one
or more chamfered surfaces to better grip, secure, anchor and/or
support the tie; the at least one of one or more elevations, one or
more depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one
or more convex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more
tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered
surfaces are located on and/or in communication with at least one
of: the at least first hole of the cinch mechanism, the at least
second hole of the cinch mechanism and the one or more surfaces or
walls of the cinch mechanism; and the at least first hole and the
at least second hole have the same or substantially the same
radius, diameter and circumference or have at least one of the
radius, diameter and circumference thereof being different.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of: the
buttress element operates to prevent movement of the tie and/or to
prevent the knot of the tie from loosening; one or more portions of
the knot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the
buttress element; one or more portions of the knot of the tie
and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the zone of space
between the first and second portions of the buttress element; the
buttress element is U or V shaped or substantially U or V shaped;
the first and second portions of the buttress element are connected
directly or indirectly to the cinch mechanism and are oriented such
that the first and second portions of the buttress element define
and form the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of the
buttress element; the first and second portions of the buttress
element are connected to each other and oriented such that the
first and second portions of the buttress element define and form
the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of the buttress
element; the buttress element has one of the following geometric
shapes: substantially circular, circular, substantially
semi-circular, semi-circular, ovular, semi-ovular, point or
pointed, conical, substantially conical, post-like, pillar-like,
bar-like, spring-like and coil-like; the buttress element extends
from the cinch mechanism along an axis that is a different axis
than the longitudinal axis of, and/or extending through, the cinch
mechanism; the buttress element: (i) is perpendicular, transverse,
substantially perpendicular and/or substantially transverse to the
cinch mechanism; or (ii) extends from the cinch mechanism at any
other predetermined, preselected angle, the predetermined,
preselected angle being at least one of: 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 30
degrees, anywhere in the range of about 20 degrees to about 85
degrees; anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 85
degrees, and anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 180
degrees; the buttress element includes at least one of one or more
elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one
or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave
contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one
or more chamfered surfaces to better grip, secure, anchor and/or
support the tie; the first portion of the buttress element includes
at least one curved portion such that the first portion of the
buttress element extends from the second portion of the buttress
element for a predetermined distance and then curves and continues
to extend such that the remainder of the first portion of the
buttress element is parallel or substantially parallel to the
second portion of the buttress element; the first and second
portions of the buttress element have the same or substantially the
same width, height and length or have at least one of the width,
height and length thereof being different; and the first and second
portions of the buttress element are built into, made integral
with, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasably
connected to each other via one or more releasable connection
means.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one of: the at
least one button or actuation element comprises at least one of the
first portion and the second portion of the buttress element; the
buttress element and the cinch mechanism are integrated such that
the at least one portion of the first portion and the second
portion of the buttress element operates to compress and/or
decompress the spring and to align and/or misalign the at least
first hole and the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism; the
cinch mechanism is opened and/or has its at least first hole and at
least second hole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to
the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the
buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the
spring; the cinch mechanism is opened and/or has the at least first
hole and the at least second hole thereof aligned when a force or a
pressure is applied to the at least one of the first portion and
the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing
and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure
is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount; the
cinch mechanism is closed and/or has the at least first hole and
the at least second hole thereof misaligned when a force or a
pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one of the
first portion and the second portion of the buttress element,
thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring; and the cinch
mechanism is closed and/or has the at least first hole and the at
least second hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is
applied to, or removed from, the at least one of the first portion
and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing
and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure
is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of: when the at
least first hole of the cinch mechanism is disposed on and in
communication with a surface or wall of the cinch mechanism and the
at least second hole of the cinch mechanism is disposed on and in
communication with another surface or wall of the cinch mechanism,
at least one of the at least one button, actuation element and the
at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the
buttress element includes at least a third hole of the cinch
mechanism; the at least third hole of the cinch mechanism operates
to be aligned and/or misaligned with the at least first hole and
the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism, thereby locking
the cinch mechanism when one or more of the three holes are
misaligned and unlocking the cinch mechanism when all three holes
of the cinch mechanism are aligned; the cinch mechanism is opened
and/or has the at least first hole, the at least second hole and
the at least third hole aligned when a force or a pressure is
applied to the at least one of the first portion and the second
portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or
decompressing the spring and aligning the at least third hole with
the at least first hole and the at least second hole; the cinch
mechanism is opened and/or has the at least first hole, the at
least second hole and the at least third hole aligned when a force
or a pressure is applied to the at least one of the first portion
and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing
and/or decompressing the spring and aligning the at least third
hole with the at least first hole and the at least second hole,
wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a
predetermined, pre-selected amount; the cinch mechanism is closed
and/or has at least two of the at least first hole, the at least
second hole and the at least third hole thereof misaligned when a
force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least
one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress
element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring and
misaligning the at least third hole with at least one of the at
least first hole and the at least second hole; and the cinch
mechanism is closed and/or has at least two of the at least first
hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole thereof
misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed
from, the at least one of the first portion and the second portion
of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing
the spring and misaligning the at least third hole with at least
one of the at least first hole and the at least second hole,
wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a
predetermined, pre-selected amount.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one of: the cinch
mechanism is: (i) locked when the spring is compressed and unlocked
when the spring is decompressed; or (ii) unlocked when the spring
is decompressed and locked when the spring is compressed; when the
spring is decompressed and the hole of at least one of the at least
first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole
that is disposed on and in communication with the button, actuation
element and/or the at least one of the first portion and the second
portion of the buttress element is positioned closer to the zone of
space of the buttress element than the other two holes of the at
least one of the at least first hole, the at least second hole and
the at least third hole, then the cinch mechanism is locked when
the spring is decompressed and is unlocked when the spring is
compressed; when the spring is compressed and the hole of at least
one of the at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at
least third hole that is disposed on and in communication with the
button, actuation element and/or the at least one of the first
portion and the second portion of the buttress element is
positioned further away from the zone of space of the buttress
element than the other two holes of the at least one of the at
least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third
hole, then the cinch mechanism is unlocked when the spring is
decompressed and is locked when the spring is compressed; the
button or actuation element extends through a first or front wall
or surface of the cinch mechanism and the spring extends from a
second or back wall or surface of the cinch mechanism; the cinch
mechanism further comprises a second spring and a latch mechanism
that operates to slide towards the spring, thereby locking the
spring in a compressed position, and to slide away from the spring,
thereby unlocking the spring from its compressed position; the
latch mechanism includes a curved, sloped, tapered and/or chamfered
surface such that, when the at least one of the button, the
actuation element and the at least one of the first portion and the
second portion of the buttress element slides along the curved,
sloped, tapered and/or chamfered surface of the latch mechanism,
the latch mechanism is pushed away from the spring such that the
second spring becomes compressed, thereby unlocking the spring from
its compressed position; the cinch mechanism further comprises at
least one of: (i) one or more tracks, one or more rails and/or one
or more guideposts that operate to guide the at least one of the
button, the actuation element and the at least one of the first
portion and the second portion of the buttress element in the cinch
mechanism; (ii) one or more tracks, one or more rails and/or one or
more guideposts that operate to guide the second spring and/or the
latch mechanism in the cinch mechanism; and (iii) one or more
tracks, one or more rails and/or one or more guideposts that
operate to guide the spring in the cinch mechanism; the second
spring and the latch mechanism operate to be locked in, and
released from a compressed position, thereby allowing the user of
the apparatus to control when the apparatus is opened and closed;
the cinch mechanism is sized and shaped to operate to guide at
least one of the spring and the at least one of the button, the
actuation element and the at least one of the first portion and the
second portion of the buttress element therein; and one or more
components of the apparatus are made of at least one of: plastic,
clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa
wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material
that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer,
thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather,
suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or
rigid material, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene,
carbon fiber, and fiber.
20. A method of using at least one tie securing, anchoring and/or
supporting apparatus or device, comprising: (i) applying a force to
a body or flex frame of the at least one apparatus or device to
open, or expand a hole of, the body or flex frame a predetermined
amount; (ii) positioning and/or placing a portion of a tie into
and/or onto the body or flex frame and/or the hole thereof or
removing the portion of the tie from the body or flex frame and/or
the hole thereof; and (iii) releasing or removing the force placed
on the body or flex frame of the apparatus or device such that the
resilient elasticity and/or the spring-like bias of the body or
flex frame and/or the portions of the body or flex frame, the
portions of the body or flex frame being springingly biased towards
each other, operate to close, and/or narrow the hole of, the body
or flex frame and/or anchor, secure, lock and/or support the
portion of the tie in a predetermined, pre-selected position,
orientation and/or configuration.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein at least one of: (i) the
applying step further comprises opening the body or flex frame by
separating at least two portions of the body or flex frame; and
(ii) the releasing or removing of the force step further comprises
closing the at least two portions of the body or flex frame,
wherein the at least two portions of the body or flex frame are
closed by at least one of: (a) a pin and receptacle arrangement;
and (b) one or more magnetic forces drawing the at least two
portions together.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising positioning at least
a portion of the tie and/or a knot of the tie in a buttress
element, the buttress element being connected to, and extending
from the body or flex frame, thereby further anchoring, securing,
locking and/or supporting the portion of the tie and/or the knot of
the tie in a predetermined, pre-selected position, orientation
and/or configuration and/or preventing the knot from loosening.
23. A method of using at least one tie securing, anchoring and/or
supporting apparatus or device, comprising: (i) aligning at least
two holes of a cinch mechanism of the at least one apparatus or
device to open and unlock the cinch mechanism; (ii) positioning
and/or placing a portion of a tie into and/or onto the cinch
mechanism and/or the at least two holes thereof or removing the
portion of the tie from the cinch mechanism and/or the at least two
holes thereof; and (iii) misaligning the at least two holes of the
cinch mechanism to close and lock the cinch mechanism and/or
anchor, secure, lock and/or support the portion of the tie in a
predetermined, pre-selected position, orientation and/or
configuration.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising positioning at least
a portion of the tie and/or a knot of the tie in a buttress
element, the buttress element being connected to, and extending
from the cinch mechanism, thereby further anchoring, securing,
locking and/or supporting the portion of the tie and/or the knot of
the tie in a predetermined, pre-selected position, orientation
and/or configuration and/or preventing the knot from loosening.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein: (i) the at least two holes
comprise at least three holes; (ii) the alignment step further
comprises aligning the at least three holes; and (iii) the
misalignment step further comprises misaligning at least two of the
at least three holes.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of supporting,
anchoring and/or securing devices, and, more particularly, to tie
supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices,
including tie positioning devices, providing support to a tie,
operating to keep a tie in position and/or preventing loosening,
shifting, moving etc. of the tie from a predetermined or rest
position and methods of using same. Such tie anchoring and/or
securing devices provide consistency and reliability to tie
placement while a user of the tie wears, installs and/or removes
same, particularly where the tie(s) would shift, loosen, move, etc.
without use of the one or more tie anchoring and/or securing
apparatuses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The tie, and especially a knot tie (also referred to here as
a "necktie"; various types of knots may be used, such as, but not
limited to, the four-in-hand knot, the Windsor knot, half-Windsor
knot, the Pratt or Shelby knot, etc.) having a thinner or short
(back) end and a thicker or longer (front) end, a bow tie, a Bolo
tie, a cravat or neckband, ascot or other type(s) of ties having
material (such as cloth) worn around the neck of a user (e.g., for
decorative purposes), has been a garment(s) worn by many persons
for hundreds of years or longer. The necktie and bow ties are
particularly popular types of ties worn by many users, especially
as such ties often form a part of regular office, work or formal
wear. Typically, such ties are worn without any type of support or
securing assistance beyond that which the ties provide due to their
structural attributes. Typically, ties are worn for a particular
fashion look and/or feel, and often times provide various types of
decorations, designs, appliques, etc. thereon. As such, users often
prefer that ties do not shift, loosen, move or otherwise become out
of place after the initial placement of such ties.
[0003] Unfortunately, constant problems users encounter with ties
of various types is that such ties often loosen, shift, move, swing
or otherwise become out of place from the original, predetermined,
rest position in which the user places the tie for wearing. When
one or more of these problems occur, the user may appear
disheveled, unkempt, anti-symmetrical (and therefore lack
uniformity in appearance), and messy. While tie clips have been
developed over the years, such tie clips are deficient because they
fail to prevent the tie from loosening while also keeping the tie
in place.
[0004] Thus, it would therefore be desirable to provide one or more
apparatuses or devices that provide support to a tie, operate to
keep a tie in position and/or prevent loosening, shifting, moving
etc. of the tie from a predetermined or rest position and one or
more methods of using same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention, tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or
devices for providing support to a tie, operating to keep a tie in
position and/or preventing the loosening, shifting, moving etc. of
the tie from a predetermined or rest position, and methods of using
the tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or
devices are provided.
[0006] The one or more tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing
apparatuses or devices may be placed on one or more types of ties
(see e.g., several types of ties discussed above) after a
predetermined type of tie is in position. While various types of
tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices
are disclosed herein, preferably a user selects one of the tie
supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices for
use with a particular, predetermined type of tie. That said, the
tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices
may be interchangeable for the one or more types of ties as
discussed herein.
[0007] Preferably, the selected apparatus or device is disposed on
a first side (e.g., a backside where, in at least one embodiment,
the front side of a tie may be one or more sides of the tie facing
away from the user and the backside of the tie may be one or more
sides of the tie facing towards the user and/or located between the
user and the front side of the tie) portion of a tie knot (or other
predetermined tie location) and prevents the knot (or other tie
portion) from slipping downwards or from otherwise coming undone.
The apparatus or device may be disposed in a back, middle (e.g.,
between both cloth portions (e.g., the thinner or short (or back)
end and the thicker or longer (front) end) of the tie) or front
portion of a tie. Preferably, tie movement is prevented using a "U"
or "V" shaped or substantially "U" or "V" shaped buttress element,
which is disposed on the tie such that one or more portions of the
knot or tie rest in the buttress element. The device may include
metal, plastic or other material that provides the structural
attributes discussed herein.
[0008] A tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus may
include: a body or flex frame having a first portion with first and
second ends thereof and a second portion with first and second ends
thereof, the first end of the first portion being connected to the
first end of the second portion, the second end of the first
portion operating to be releasably or permanently connected to the
second end of the second portion, and the first and second portions
being sized and shaped to define a hole or a zone of space
therebetween, the hole or zone of space of the body or flex frame
operating to be widened and/or opened to receive a portion of a tie
therein and to be narrowed and/or closed to hold the portion of the
tie therein, and a buttress element connected to and extending from
the body or flex frame, the buttress element having a first portion
and a second portion, at least one of the first portion of the
buttress element and the second portion of the buttress element
extending from the body or flex frame, the first and second
portions being sized and shaped to define a zone of space
therebetween and operating to receive and hold at least a portion
of a tie therein, wherein the first and second portions of the body
or flex frame are springingly biased towards each other.
[0009] The apparatus may operate to at least one of: keep the tie
in position and prevent at least one of: loosening of the tie,
shifting of the tie, and moving of the tie; prevent a knot of the
tie from loosening, slipping, and/or becoming undone; and be
installed or placed on the tie after the tie is placed in a
predetermined position on a user. The apparatus may be disposed, or
substantially disposed, on a first portion of the tie, wherein the
first portion includes at least one of: a knot; a front portion or
side; a middle portion; a back portion or side; a backside portion
where the front side of a tie may be one or more sides of the tie
facing away from the user and the backside of the tie may be one or
more sides of the tie facing towards the user and/or located
between the user and the front side of the tie; a smaller portion
of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; a larger
portion of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; and a
portion of the tie located between both cloth portions of the tie.
The apparatus may include a cinch mechanism having at least a first
hole and a second hole, the cinch mechanism operating to: (i) align
and misalign the first and second holes thereof; (ii) further
secure, anchor and/or support the portion of the tie disposed in,
and extending through, the first and second holes when the first
and second holes are misaligned; and (ii) insert the portion of the
tie into and through the first and second holes, and/or release the
portion of the tie disposed in, and extending through, the first
and second holes when the at least first and second holes are
aligned. The apparatus may further include a pin and pin receptacle
to further anchor, secure, support and/or grip the tie, wherein the
pin operates to pierce and grip a portion of the tie.
[0010] The buttress element may be (i) built into, made integral
with, and/or permanently connected to the body or flex frame; or
(ii) releasably connectable to the body or flex frame. The buttress
element and the body or flex frame may at least one of: (i) operate
to be connected to each other for use and then disconnected from
each other after use, during manufacturing, for storage, and/or for
shipment; and (ii) be connected by at least one of: gluing,
welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering,
molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting. The
buttress element may include at least one clip or clasp or other
connecting means connected to, and extending from, a base of the
buttress element or a base of at least one of the first portion and
the second portion of the buttress element, the at least one clip
or clasp or other connecting means operating to releasably connect
the buttress element to the body or flex frame. The other
connecting means may include at least one of another clip, another
clasp, at least one screw, and at least one hook.
[0011] The body or flex frame may be at least one of: sized and
shaped to operate to receive and hold a portion of the tie in the
hole or zone of space thereof; sized and shaped to operate to
receive and hold a portion of the tie therein; substantially O or 0
shaped; substantially O or 0 shaped, thereby defining the hole or
the zone of space, such that any portion of the tie disposed
therein is encompassed by the body or flex frame; opened and/or
widened when a force or a pressure is applied against the ends of
the first and second portions, thereby opening and/or widening the
hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame; opened and/or
widened when a force or a pressure is applied against the ends of
the first and second portions, thereby opening and/or widening the
hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame, wherein the
force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined,
pre-selected amount; closed and/or narrowed when the force or the
pressure is removed from the ends of the first and second portions,
thereby closing and/or narrowing the hole or the zone of space of
the body or flex frame; and closed and/or narrowed when the force
or the pressure is removed from the ends of the first and second
portions, thereby closing and/or narrowing the hole or the zone of
space of the body or flex frame, such that the body or flex frame
operates to return to its original, at-rest position, orientation
and/or configuration, thereby having a resilient elasticity. The
body or flex frame may further include at least one of: a clip; a
clip that is U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped and/or substantially U, V,
C, (and/or ) shaped; a component having a spring-like bias; and at
least two components that are springingly biased towards each
other.
[0012] The springing bias of the first and second portions of the
body or flex frame may be defined and provided by the size and
shape of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame.
The springing bias of the first and second portions of the body or
flex frame may be modifiable by changing the size and/or shape of
the first and second portions of the body or flex frame. The first
and second portions of the body or flex frame may be at least one
of: U, V, C, (and/or) shaped and/or substantially U, V, C, (and/or
) shaped; connected to each other; positioned and/or connected to
each other such that the connected first and second portions have a
shape that is at least one of ] [, > < and ) (; oriented
and/or connected to each other such that each has respective first
or inside surfaces and second or outside surfaces; the first and
second portions of the body or flex frame are built into, made
integral with, and/or permanently connected to each other or are
releasably connected to each other via one or more releasable
connection means; the first and second portions of the body or flex
frame have the same or substantially the same width, height and
length or have at least one of the width, height and length thereof
being different; and the first and second portions of the body or
flex frame extend along, substantially along, substantially
parallel to, and/or parallel to a longitudinal axis extending
through the apparatus. When the body or flex frame is in its
original, at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration, the
body or flex frame may operate, and, therefore, the first and
second portions of the flex frame may operate, to grip and hold the
tie and/or a portion of the tie in a preselected, predetermined
position, orientation and/or configuration. The first or inside
surfaces of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame
may substantially face each other. The first or inside surfaces of
the first and second portions of the body or flex frame may define
the hole or the zone of space therebetween. The second or outside
surfaces of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame
may substantially face away from each other. The second or outside
surfaces of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame
may define a perimeter of the body or flex frame. When the body or
flex frame is in the original, at-rest position, orientation and/or
configuration, the first or inside surfaces and at least respective
sections of the second or outside surfaces may be parallel or
substantially parallel to each other. The body or flex frame may
include at least one of one or more elevations, one or more
depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or
more convex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more
tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered
surfaces to better grip, support, anchor and/or secure the tie. The
at least one of one or more elevations, one or more depressions,
one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex
contours, one or more concave contours, one or more tapers, one or
more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces may be
located on at least one of: at least one of the first or inside
surfaces and at least one of the second or outside surfaces. The
releasable connection means may include at least one of: one or
more hinges, one or more pin-receptacle combinations and one or
more latches.
[0013] The buttress element may have at least one of the following
features: the buttress element operates to prevent movement of the
tie and/or to prevent the knot of the tie from loosening; one or
more portions of the knot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are
disposed in the buttress element; one or more portions of the knot
of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the zone of
space between the first and second portions of the buttress
element; the buttress element is U or V shaped or substantially U
or V shaped; the first and second portions of the buttress element
are connected directly or indirectly to the body or flex frame and
are oriented such that the first and second portions of the
buttress element define and form the U or V shape or the
substantial U or V shape of the buttress element; the first and
second portions of the buttress element are connected to each other
and oriented such that the first and second portions of the
buttress element define and form the U or V shape or the
substantial U or V shape of the buttress element; the buttress
element has one of the following geometric shapes: substantially
circular, circular, substantially semi-circular, semi-circular,
ovular, semi-ovular, point or pointed, conical, substantially
conical, post-like, pillar-like, bar-like, spring-like and
coil-like; the buttress element extends from the body or flex frame
along an axis that is a different axis than the longitudinal axis
of, and/or extending through, the body or flex frame; the buttress
element: (i) is perpendicular, transverse, substantially
perpendicular and/or substantially transverse to the body or flex
frame; or (ii) extends from the body or flex frame at any other
predetermined, preselected angle, the predetermined, preselected
angle being at least one of: 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 30 degrees,
anywhere in the range of about 20 degrees to about 85 degrees;
anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 85 degrees, and
anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 180 degrees; the
buttress element includes at least one of one or more elevations,
one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more
hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours,
one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more
chamfered surfaces to better grip, support, anchor and/or secure
the tie; the first portion of the buttress element includes at
least one curved portion such that the first portion of the
buttress element extends from the second portion of the buttress
element for a predetermined distance and then curves and continues
to extend such that the remainder of the first portion of the
buttress element is parallel or substantially parallel to the
second portion of the buttress element; the first and second
portions of the buttress element have the same or substantially the
same width, height and length or have at least one of the width,
height and length thereof being different; and the first and second
portions of the buttress element are built into, made integral
with, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasably
connected to each other via one or more releasable connection
means.
[0014] One or more embodiments of a tie securing, anchoring and/or
supporting apparatus may include at least one of the following
features: the body or flex frame further comprises a hinge on one
end thereof and one or more receptacles on the other end thereof;
the first and second portions of the body or flex frame are
connected at at least one of the first and second ends thereof by
the hinge; the other of the at least one of the first and second
ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame
operate to be releasably connected/disconnected by a pin-receptacle
combination including the one or more receptacles; the
pin-receptacle combination comprises: (i) one or more receptacles
disposed at the other of the at least one of the first and second
ends of the first portion or the second portion of the body or flex
frame; (ii) at least one receptacle disposed at the other of the at
least one of the first and second ends of the other of the first
portion or the second portion of the body or flex frame; and (iii)
a pin that operates to be removably disposed in the one or more
receptacles and the at least one receptacle of the body or flex
frame when all of the receptacles are aligned, thereby locking, and
connecting together, the other of the at least one of the first and
second ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex
frame when the pin is located in the one or more receptacles and
the at least one receptacle of the body or flex frame and thereby
unlocking the other of the at least one of the first and second
ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame
when the pin is removed from the one or more receptacles and the at
least one receptacle of the body or flex frame; and the pin mates
with the one or more receptacles and the at least one receptacle of
the body or flex frame to prevent piercing or injury to the user of
the apparatus.
[0015] One or more embodiments of a tie securing, anchoring and/or
supporting apparatus may further include at least one of the
following features: the body or flex frame further comprises a
magnet to magnet or magnet to metal combination that operates to
further anchor the portion of the knot of the tie and/or the tie
disposed in the body or flex frame; the first and second portions
of the body or flex frame include material that is attracted to
each other via one or more magnetic forces; a first magnet is
disposed on, and/or connected to, the buttress element, and a
second magnet is disposed such that one or more portions of the tie
are located between the magnets, thereby further anchoring,
supporting and/or securing the tie therebetween; the first magnet
is built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to
the buttress element, or is connected to the buttress element using
at least one of: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding,
fusing, adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and
friction-fitting; and one or more components of the apparatus are
made of at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane
polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber,
cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with
air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer,
cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially
resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, magnetic
material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber.
[0016] One or more other embodiments of a tie securing, anchoring
and/or supporting apparatus may include at least one of the
following features: the body or flex frame further comprises a
hinge on at least one end thereof that operates to hold together
and connect at least one of the first and second ends of the first
and second portions of the body or flex frame; the body or flex
frame further comprises a magnet to magnet or magnet to metal
combination that operates to at least one of: (i) hold the first
portion and the second portion of the body or flex frame together
via one or more magnetic forces; (ii) connect directly and/or
indirectly, and hold together, at least one of the first and second
ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame via
one or more magnetic forces, thereby anchoring the portion of the
knot of the tie and/or the tie disposed in the body or flex frame;
(iii) be opened by the application of one or more forces or
pressures to the first and second portions of the body or flex
frame; and (iv) be opened by the application of one or more forces
or pressures to the first and second portions of the body or flex
frame, wherein the one or more forces or pressures applied to the
first portion of the body or flex frame and the one or more forces
or pressures applied to the second portion of the body or flex
frame are applied in substantially opposite or opposite directions;
the first and second portions of the body or flex frame include
material that is attracted to each other via one or more magnetic
forces; the first and second portions of the body or flex frame
include material that is attracted to each other via one or more
magnetic forces while the first and second portions of the body or
flex frame retain their respective resilient flexibility and
spring-like bias; at least one of the first and second portions of
the body or flex frame include at least one of a magnet, magnetic
metal, metals that are attracted to magnets and metals that operate
to act as one or more magnets; a first magnet is disposed on,
and/or connected to, the buttress element, and a second magnet is
disposed such that one or more portions of the tie are located
between the magnets, thereby further anchoring, supporting and/or
securing the tie therebetween; the first magnet is built into, made
integral with, and/or permanently connected to the buttress
element, or is connected to the buttress element using at least one
of: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing,
adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and
friction-fitting; and one or more components of the apparatus are
made of at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane
polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber,
cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with
air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer,
cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially
resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, magnetic
material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber.
[0017] Yet a further embodiment of a tie securing, anchoring and/or
supporting apparatus, may include: a cinch mechanism having at
least a first hole and at least a second hole, the at least first
hole and the at least second hole operating to align and misalign
with each other such that when the at least first hole and the at
least second hole are aligned a portion of a tie may be disposed
therethrough and/or removed therefrom and when the at least first
hole and the at least second hole are misaligned the at least first
hole and the at least second hole operate to hold the portion of
the tie disposed therethrough, thereby securing, anchoring and/or
supporting the portion of the tie; and a buttress element connected
to and extending from the cinch mechanism, the buttress element
having a first portion and a second portion, at least one of the
first and second portions extending from the cinch mechanism, the
first and second portions being sized and shaped to define a zone
of space therebetween and operating to receive and hold at least a
portion of a tie therein.
[0018] The apparatus may operate to at least one of: keep the tie
in position and prevent at least one of: loosening of the tie,
shifting of the tie, and moving of the tie; prevent a knot of the
tie from loosening, slipping, and/or becoming undone; and be
installed or placed on the tie after the tie is placed in a
predetermined position on a user. The apparatus may be disposed, or
substantially disposed, on a first portion of the tie, wherein the
first portion includes at least one of: a knot; a front portion or
side; a middle portion; a back portion or side; a backside portion
where the front side of a tie may be one or more sides of the tie
facing away from the user and the backside of the tie may be one or
more sides of the tie facing towards the user and/or located
between the user and the front side of the tie; a smaller portion
of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; a larger
portion of the tie as compared to other portions of the tie; and a
portion of the tie located between both cloth portions of the tie.
The apparatus may further comprise a pin and pin receptacle to
further anchor, secure, support and/or grip the tie, wherein the
pin operates to pierce and grip a portion of the tie.
[0019] The further embodiment of an apparatus may at least one of
the following features: have the buttress element: (i) be built
into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to the cinch
mechanism; (ii) be releasably connectable to the cinch mechanism,
or (iii) have at least one portion that is built into, made
integral with, and/or permanently connected to the cinch mechanism
and at least another portion that is releasably connectable to the
cinch mechanism; have the buttress element and the cinch mechanism
operate to be connected to each other for use and then disconnected
from each other after use, during manufacturing, for storage,
and/or for shipment; have the buttress element and the cinch
mechanism be connected by at least one of: gluing, welding,
press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding,
clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; have the
buttress element include at least one clip or clasp or other
connecting means connected to, and extending from, a base of the
buttress element or a base of at least one of the first portion and
the second portion of the buttress element, the at least one clip
or clasp or other connecting means operating to releasably connect
the buttress element or a least one of the first portion and the
second portion of the buttress element to the cinch mechanism; and
have the other connecting means include at least one of another
clip, another clasp, at least one screw, and at least one hook.
[0020] The cinch mechanism may at least one of: be sized and shaped
to operate to receive and hold a portion of the tie in the at least
first hole and the at least second hole thereof; be sized and
shaped to operate to receive and hold a portion of the tie therein
and/or therethrough; have one or more surfaces or walls defining an
interior zone of space, such that any portion of the tie disposed
therein is encompassed by the cinch mechanism or is located in the
interior zone of space of the cinch mechanism; further comprise at
least one spring and at least one button or actuation element, the
at least one button or actuation element operating to compress
and/or decompress the spring and including at least one of the at
least first hole and the at least second hole of the cinch
mechanism such that the compression and/or the decompression of the
spring operates to align and/or misalign the at least first hole
and the at least second hole; be opened and/or has its at least
first hole and at least second hole aligned when a force or a
pressure is applied to the at least one button or actuation
element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring; be
opened and/or has the at least first hole and the at least second
hole thereof aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to the
at least one button or actuation element, thereby compressing
and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure
is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount; be
closed and/or has the at least first hole and the at least second
hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to,
or removed from, the at least one button or actuation element,
thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring; and be closed
and/or has the at least first hole and the at least second hole
thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or
removed from, the at least one button or actuation element, thereby
compressing and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or
the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected
amount.
[0021] The further embodiment of an apparatus may have at least one
of the following features: the at least first hole and the at least
second hole are positioned on the cinch mechanism such that at
least an axis, a line or a plane passes therethrough and/or the at
least first hole and the at least second hole are co-linear and/or
co-planar; at least one of the at least first hole and the at least
second hole is disposed on and in communication with one or more
surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism; the at least first hole
is disposed on and in communication with one or more surfaces or
walls of the cinch mechanism and the at least second hole is
disposed on and in communication with one or more other surfaces or
walls of the cinch mechanism; one of the at least first hole and
the at least second hole is disposed on and in communication with
one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism and the other
of the at least first hole and the at least second hole is disposed
on and in communication with the button or actuation element of the
cinch mechanism; the geometry of at least one cross-section of the
cinch mechanism is at least one of: triangular, substantially
triangular, rectangular, substantially rectangular, square-shaped,
substantially square-shaped, parallelogram-shaped, substantially
parallelogram-shaped, conical, substantially conical, cylindrical,
substantially cylindrical, pentagonal and substantially pentagonal;
the cinch mechanism includes at least one of one or more
elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one
or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave
contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one
or more chamfered surfaces to better grip, secure, anchor and/or
support the tie; the at least one of one or more elevations, one or
more depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one
or more convex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more
tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered
surfaces are located on and/or in communication with at least one
of: the at least first hole of the cinch mechanism, the at least
second hole of the cinch mechanism and the one or more surfaces or
walls of the cinch mechanism; and the at least first hole and the
at least second hole have the same or substantially the same
radius, diameter and circumference or have at least one of the
radius, diameter and circumference thereof being different.
[0022] One or more embodiments of an apparatus may have at least
one of the following further features: the buttress element
operates to prevent movement of the tie and/or to prevent the knot
of the tie from loosening; one or more portions of the knot of the
tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the buttress
element; one or more portions of the knot of the tie and/or the tie
rest and/or are disposed in the zone of space between the first and
second portions of the buttress element; the buttress element is U
or V shaped or substantially U or V shaped; the first and second
portions of the buttress element are connected directly or
indirectly to the cinch mechanism and are oriented such that the
first and second portions of the buttress element define and form
the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of the buttress
element; the first and second portions of the buttress element are
connected to each other and oriented such that the first and second
portions of the buttress element define and form the U or V shape
or the substantial U or V shape of the buttress element; the
buttress element has one of the following geometric shapes:
substantially circular, circular, substantially semi-circular,
semi-circular, ovular, semi-ovular, point or pointed, conical,
substantially conical, post-like, pillar-like, bar-like,
spring-like and coil-like; the buttress element extends from the
cinch mechanism along an axis that is a different axis than the
longitudinal axis of, and/or extending through, the cinch
mechanism; the buttress element: (i) is perpendicular, transverse,
substantially perpendicular and/or substantially transverse to the
cinch mechanism; or (ii) extends from the cinch mechanism at any
other predetermined, preselected angle, the predetermined,
preselected angle being at least one of: 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 30
degrees, anywhere in the range of about 20 degrees to about 85
degrees; anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 85
degrees, and anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 180
degrees; the buttress element includes at least one of one or more
elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one
or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave
contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one
or more chamfered surfaces to better grip, secure, anchor and/or
support the tie; the first portion of the buttress element includes
at least one curved portion such that the first portion of the
buttress element extends from the second portion of the buttress
element for a predetermined distance and then curves and continues
to extend such that the remainder of the first portion of the
buttress element is parallel or substantially parallel to the
second portion of the buttress element; the first and second
portions of the buttress element have the same or substantially the
same width, height and length or have at least one of the width,
height and length thereof being different; and the first and second
portions of the buttress element are built into, made integral
with, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasably
connected to each other via one or more releasable connection
means.
[0023] Additionally or alternatively, one or more embodiments of an
apparatus may have at least one of the following features: the at
least one button or actuation element comprises at least one of the
first portion and the second portion of the buttress element; the
buttress element and the cinch mechanism are integrated such that
the at least one portion of the first portion and the second
portion of the buttress element operates to compress and/or
decompress the spring and to align and/or misalign the at least
first hole and the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism; the
cinch mechanism is opened and/or has its at least first hole and at
least second hole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to
the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the
buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the
spring; the cinch mechanism is opened and/or has the at least first
hole and the at least second hole thereof aligned when a force or a
pressure is applied to the at least one of the first portion and
the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing
and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure
is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount; the
cinch mechanism is closed and/or has the at least first hole and
the at least second hole thereof misaligned when a force or a
pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one of the
first portion and the second portion of the buttress element,
thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring; the cinch
mechanism is closed and/or has the at least first hole and the at
least second hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is
applied to, or removed from, the at least one of the first portion
and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing
and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure
is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount; when the
at least first hole of the cinch mechanism is disposed on and in
communication with a surface or wall of the cinch mechanism and the
at least second hole of the cinch mechanism is disposed on and in
communication with another surface or wall of the cinch mechanism,
at least one of the at least one button, actuation element and the
at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the
buttress element includes at least a third hole of the cinch
mechanism; the at least third hole of the cinch mechanism operates
to be aligned and/or misaligned with the at least first hole and
the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism, thereby locking
the cinch mechanism when one or more of the three holes are
misaligned and unlocking the cinch mechanism when all three holes
of the cinch mechanism are aligned; the cinch mechanism is opened
and/or has the at least first hole, the at least second hole and
the at least third hole aligned when a force or a pressure is
applied to the at least one of the first portion and the second
portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or
decompressing the spring and aligning the at least third hole with
the at least first hole and the at least second hole; the cinch
mechanism is opened and/or has the at least first hole, the at
least second hole and the at least third hole aligned when a force
or a pressure is applied to the at least one of the first portion
and the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing
and/or decompressing the spring and aligning the at least third
hole with the at least first hole and the at least second hole,
wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a
predetermined, pre-selected amount; the cinch mechanism is closed
and/or has at least two of the at least first hole, the at least
second hole and the at least third hole thereof misaligned when a
force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least
one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress
element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring and
misaligning the at least third hole with at least one of the at
least first hole and the at least second hole; and the cinch
mechanism is closed and/or has at least two of the at least first
hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole thereof
misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed
from, the at least one of the first portion and the second portion
of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing
the spring and misaligning the at least third hole with at least
one of the at least first hole and the at least second hole,
wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a
predetermined, pre-selected amount.
[0024] Additionally or alternatively, one or more embodiments of an
apparatus may have at least one of the following features: the
cinch mechanism is: (i) locked when the spring is compressed and
unlocked when the spring is decompressed; or (ii) unlocked when the
spring is decompressed and locked when the spring is compressed;
when the spring is decompressed and the hole of at least one of the
at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least
third hole that is disposed on and in communication with the
button, actuation element and/or the at least one of the first
portion and the second portion of the buttress element is
positioned closer to the zone of space of the buttress element than
the other two holes of the at least one of the at least first hole,
the at least second hole and the at least third hole, then the
cinch mechanism is locked when the spring is decompressed and is
unlocked when the spring is compressed; when the spring is
compressed and the hole of at least one of the at least first hole,
the at least second hole and the at least third hole that is
disposed on and in communication with the button, actuation element
and/or the at least one of the first portion and the second portion
of the buttress element is positioned further away from the zone of
space of the buttress element than the other two holes of the at
least one of the at least first hole, the at least second hole and
the at least third hole, then the cinch mechanism is unlocked when
the spring is decompressed and is locked when the spring is
compressed; the button or actuation element extends through a first
or front wall or surface of the cinch mechanism and the spring
extends from a second or back wall or surface of the cinch
mechanism; the cinch mechanism further comprises a second spring
and a latch mechanism that operates to slide towards the spring,
thereby locking the spring in a compressed position, and to slide
away from the spring, thereby unlocking the spring from its
compressed position; the latch mechanism includes a curved, sloped,
tapered and/or chamfered surface such that, when the at least one
of the button, the actuation element and the at least one of the
first portion and the second portion of the buttress element slides
along the curved, sloped, tapered and/or chamfered surface of the
latch mechanism, the latch mechanism is pushed away from the spring
such that the second spring becomes compressed, thereby unlocking
the spring from its compressed position; the cinch mechanism
further comprises at least one of: (i) one or more tracks, one or
more rails and/or one or more guideposts that operate to guide the
at least one of the button, the actuation element and the at least
one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress
element in the cinch mechanism; (ii) one or more tracks, one or
more rails and/or one or more guideposts that operate to guide the
second spring and/or the latch mechanism in the cinch mechanism;
and (iii) one or more tracks, one or more rails and/or one or more
guideposts that operate to guide the spring in the cinch mechanism;
the second spring and the latch mechanism operate to be locked in,
and released from a compressed position, thereby allowing the user
of the apparatus to control when the apparatus is opened and
closed; the cinch mechanism is sized and shaped to operate to guide
at least one of the spring and the at least one of the button, the
actuation element and the at least one of the first portion and the
second portion of the buttress element therein; and one or more
components of the apparatus are made of at least one of: plastic,
clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa
wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material
that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer,
thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather,
suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or
rigid material, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene,
carbon fiber, and fiber.
[0025] The apparatus or device may include a clip having a
resilient elasticity such that the clip may be opened with minimal
force and may grip and hold the tie in the preselected position.
The clip may be "U" or "V" shaped or substantially "U" or "V"
shaped. The clip may be connected to the buttress element such that
they are perpendicular, transverse, substantially perpendicular
and/or substantially transverse to each other. The buttress element
and the clip may be disposed at any other angle (e.g., 45 degrees;
as otherwise discussed herein; etc.) with respect to each other.
The clip may include one or more elevations and depressions (e.g.,
protrusions, hooks, convex and concave contours, etc.) to better
grip the tie.
[0026] The apparatus or device may include a pin that further
secures the tie. Preferably, the pin mates with a pin receptacle to
prevent piercing/injury. The device may use the pin and pin
receptacle instead of the clip to achieve the desired supporting,
anchoring and/or securing functionality. Preferably, the pin is
disposed perpendicularly, transversely, substantially
perpendicularly and/or substantially transversely to the buttress
element. The pin may be oriented towards the user or away from the
user such that the pin receptacle may be placed at least one of:
under one or more portions of the tie of the user, under the shirt
of the user, and on top of the tie of the user. Preferably, the pin
receptacle is hidden from view.
[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus or device may
include a flex frame that opens when a user pinches the frame and
remains closed or in a rest position when not pinched. Preferably,
the flex frame is "O" or "0" shaped such that any portion of the
tie in the frame is encompassed thereby.
[0028] The apparatus or device may include a magnet to magnet
combination that further anchors the tie. Preferably, a first
magnet is disposed on, or connected to, the buttress element, and a
second magnet is disposed such that one or more portions of the tie
(preferably at least the short or thinner end) are located between
the magnets. The magnets may be used instead of the clip and/or
pin. The first magnet may be built into, made integral with and/or
permanently connected to the buttress element, or may be connected
to the buttress element using fusing, gluing, bonding, press-fit,
welded, etc.
[0029] The apparatus or device may include a cinch mechanism that
further anchors the tie. Preferably, the cinch includes a spring,
and the cinch has two positions. The first position is where the
two holes in the cinch are not lined up (where the spring is not
compressed), thereby locking a portion of the tie therein. The
second position is where the two holes in the cinch are lined up
(where the spring is compressed), thereby unlocking the cinch. The
cinch may be used instead of the magnets, clip, and/or pin. A
button may be used to actuate and move the spring between the
compressed and decompressed positions. Alternatively, at least one
portion of the buttress element may include a third hole and may
operate to move the spring between the compressed and decompressed
positions thereof. For example, the at least one portion of the
buttress element (e.g., the portion of the buttress element that is
disposed in the knot of the tie) may be moved towards the frame of
the apparatus or device (e.g., the spring is compressed) to align
the three holes or, in one or more other embodiments, may be moved
away from the frame (e.g., by using the force of the spring) to
align the three holes, depending on the location of the third hole
of the at least one portion of the buttress element.
[0030] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention, a tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or
device includes: a body or frame that is sized and shaped to
operate to receive and hold therein a portion of a tie and a
buttress element attached to, and extending away from, the body or
frame. Preferably, the buttress element operates to connect to, and
hold, at least a portion of a tie (such as, but not limited to, a
portion of the knot of a tie) therein.
[0031] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structure
and orientation of the one or more components of the apparatuses or
devices may be modified in various ways while providing the
benefits described herein. For example, the one or more components
may be sized and shaped to have different geometric shapes, such
as, but not limited to, being at least one of: substantially
circular, semi-circular, point or pointed (e.g., conical or
substantially conical in shape), post-shaped, pillar-shaped,
bar-shaped, spring-shaped, etc., as further discussed herein.
[0032] The size and shape of the invention may be such that user of
the invention can properly support, anchor and/or secure one or
more types of ties as discussed herein. The one or more components
may have a width, length, radius and/or diameter that is shorter
than the width, length, radius and/or diameter of another component
of the apparatuses or devices.
[0033] One or more components of the apparatuses or devices may
include at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane
polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber,
cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with
air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer,
cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially
resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, magnetic
material, magnetic metal, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber,
fiber or any other suitable material known to those skilled in the
art. One or more components of the apparatuses or devices may be
built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to
each other.
[0034] The present invention of the instant application aids or
assists a user in supporting, anchoring and/or securing a tie, is
easy to use by the user, is cheap to manufacture, and reduces
and/or eliminates the chance(s) that the tie will become shifted,
loosened, moved, undone, etc., which may result from wearing a tie
without the invention.
[0035] The methods of using the one or more tie securing,
supporting and/or anchoring apparatuses or devices aid or assist
the user in learning how to maintain proper position of the tie,
and in allowing the user to perform one or more activities, e.g.,
work, office and/or formal activities, while maintaining a neat,
kempt and uniform appearance and/or without worrying about the tie
becoming loose, shifted, displaced, etc.
[0036] At least one method of using at least one tie securing,
anchoring and/or supporting apparatus or device, may include the
steps of: (i) applying a force to a body or flex frame of the at
least one apparatus or device to open, or expand a hole of, the
body or flex frame a predetermined amount; (ii) positioning and/or
placing a portion of a tie into and/or onto the body or flex frame
and/or the hole thereof or removing the portion of the tie from the
body or flex frame and/or the hole thereof; and (iii) releasing or
removing the force placed on the body or flex frame of the
apparatus or device such that the resilient elasticity and/or the
spring-like bias of the body or flex frame and/or the portions of
the body or flex frame, the portions of the body or flex frame
being springingly biased towards each other, operate to close,
and/or narrow the hole of, the body or flex frame and/or anchor,
secure, lock and/or support the portion of the tie in a
predetermined, pre-selected position, orientation and/or
configuration. The applying step may further include opening the
body or flex frame by separating at least two portions of the body
or flex frame. The releasing or removing of the force step may
further include closing the at least two portions of the body or
flex frame, wherein the at least two portions of the body or flex
frame are closed by at least one of: (a) a pin and receptacle
arrangement; and (b) one or more magnetic forces drawing the at
least two portions together. The method may further include
positioning at least a portion of the tie and/or a knot of the tie
in a buttress element, the buttress element being connected to, and
extending from the body or flex frame, thereby further anchoring,
securing, locking and/or supporting the portion of the tie and/or
the knot of the tie in a predetermined, pre-selected position,
orientation and/or configuration and/or preventing the knot from
loosening.
[0037] One or more other methods of using at least one tie
securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus or device, may
include the steps of: (i) aligning at least two holes of a cinch
mechanism of the at least one apparatus or device to open and
unlock the cinch mechanism; (ii) positioning and/or placing a
portion of a tie into and/or onto the cinch mechanism and/or the at
least two holes thereof or removing the portion of the tie from the
cinch mechanism and/or the at least two holes thereof; and (iii)
misaligning the at least two holes of the cinch mechanism to close
and lock the cinch mechanism and/or anchor, secure, lock and/or
support the portion of the tie in a predetermined, pre-selected
position, orientation and/or configuration. The one or more other
methods may further include positioning at least a portion of the
tie and/or a knot of the tie in a buttress element, the buttress
element being connected to, and extending from the cinch mechanism,
thereby further anchoring, securing, locking and/or supporting the
portion of the tie and/or the knot of the tie in a predetermined,
pre-selected position, orientation and/or configuration and/or
preventing the knot from loosening. The at least two holes may
include at least three holes. The alignment step may further
include aligning the at least three holes; and the misalignment
step may further include misaligning at least two of the at least
three holes.
[0038] The methods of using the tie supporting, securing and/or
anchoring apparatuses or devices may further comprise forming,
providing and/or making one or more components of the apparatuses
or devices having at least one of: plastic, clear plastic,
polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber,
hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be
inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic
polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede,
synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigid
material, metal, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and
fiber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the
invention, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there are
shown in the drawings simplified forms that may be employed, it
being understood, however, that the invention is not limited by or
to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. To assist
those of ordinary skill in the relevant art in making and using the
subject matter hereof, reference is made to the appended drawings
and figures, wherein:
[0040] FIG. 1A is a perspective back view of an embodiment of a tie
supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device being
attached to a tie in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention;
[0041] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A
where the tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or
device has a flex frame that is in an open position due to a user
applying force thereto in accordance with one or more aspects of
the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS.
1A-1B where the tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus
or device has the flex frame in a closed, at-rest position in
accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 1D is a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C
where the apparatus or device is attached to a tie in accordance
with one or more aspects of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of at least an additional
embodiment of a tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus
or device having a flex frame including hinges that may be
releasably connected using a pin or locking mechanism in accordance
with one or more aspects of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A
where the hinges of the flex frame are releasably connected using a
pin or locking mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of
the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of at least an additional
embodiment of a tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus
or device, in an open position (the pin or locking mechanism is not
disposed in the flex frame) having a flex frame and a buttress
element, where the buttress element is releasably connectable to
the flex frame in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention;
[0047] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A
where the tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or
device is in an closed or locked position because the pin or
locking mechanism is disposed in the flex frame in accordance with
one or more aspects of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of at least another embodiment
of a tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device
having a flex frame including only one hinge on one side thereof,
where the flex frame includes magnetic material therein such that
the first and second portions of the flex frame operate to
releasably connect to each other and the flex frame is shown in an
open position in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A
where the flex frame is shown in a substantially closed or closed
position (e.g., the magnetic forces of the flex frame operate to
connect the first and second portions of the flex frame and/or draw
the first and second portions of the flex frame towards each other)
in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention;
[0050] FIG. 4C is a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B
where the apparatus or device is attached to a tie and the both
ends of the magnetic first and second portions of the flex frame
are in direct contact with each other in accordance with one or
more aspects of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 4D is a perspective back view of the embodiment of
FIGS. 4A-4C where the apparatus or device is attached to a tie and,
while the releasably connectable ends of the magnetic first and
second portions of the flex frame are in a closed or locked
position on the tie, where the releasably connectable ends are at
least indirectly connected to each other because a portion of the
tie lies therebetween in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention;
[0052] FIG. 5A is a side view of at least a further embodiment of a
tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device
having a cinch mechanism, including a button and spring arrangement
therein, that operates to releasably connect to a portion of a tie
in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention;
[0053] FIG. 5B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 5A showing
the button and spring mechanism arrangement of the cinch mechanism
to be in a locked position (e.g., where two holes of the cinch
mechanism are misaligned; where a hole located on the button or
actuation mechanism is misaligned with a hole located on a body of
the cinch mechanism; etc.) in accordance with one or more aspects
of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 5C is a top view of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5B
showing the button and spring mechanism arrangement of the cinch
mechanism to be in an open position (e.g., where two holes of the
cinch mechanism are aligned, thereby allowing the tie to be
positioned therein and/or removed therefrom; where a hole located
on the button or actuation mechanism is aligned with a hole located
on a body of the cinch mechanism; etc.) in accordance with one or
more aspects of the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 5D is a perspective back view of the embodiment of
FIGS. 5A-5C showing the apparatus or device being attached to a tie
in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention;
[0056] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment
having at least the structure of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5D
taken along line 6A-6A (as shown in FIG. 5B) showing the internal
components of the cinch mechanism and also including an additional
spring-latch mechanism therein in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.
6A taken along line 6B-6B (as shown in FIG. 5C) showing the
internal components of the cinch mechanism and also including an
additional spring-latch mechanism therein in accordance with one or
more aspects of the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 7A is a side view of yet a further embodiment of a
cinch mechanism for a tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring
apparatus or device where the buttress element of the apparatus or
device is integrated with the cinch mechanism such that at least
one portion of the buttress element operates to actuate the spring
located in the cinch mechanism to align and/or misalign the holes
thereof, the holes being shown in the misaligned, closed and locked
position in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention;
[0059] FIG. 7B is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A where
the holes are aligned such that the cinch mechanism is in the open
and unlocked position in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention; and
[0060] FIG. 8 is a side view of yet a further cinch mechanism
having a triangular cross-sectional structure where one portion of
the buttress element acts to actuate the spring of the cinch
mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0061] Tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatuses or
devices are disclosed herein for providing support to a tie,
operating to keep a tie in position and/or preventing loosening,
shifting, moving etc. of the tie from a predetermined or rest
position and methods of using same. Such tie anchoring and/or
securing devices provide consistency and reliability to tie
placement while a user of the tie wears, installs and/or removes
same, particularly where the tie(s) would shift, loosen, move, etc.
without use of the one or more tie anchoring and/or securing
apparatuses. The apparatuses or devices may be used in any location
for various types of activities, such as, but not limited to,
office, work and formal events. The apparatuses or devices may be
sized and shaped to accommodate one or more of various types of
ties, and may be designed to include one or more contours,
cut-outs, shapes, etc. to comfortably accommodate one or more types
of ties when the apparatuses or devices are being used.
[0062] The one or more tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing
apparatuses or devices may be placed on one or more types of ties
(e.g., several types of ties discussed above) after a predetermined
type of tie is in position. While various types of tie supporting,
anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices are disclosed
herein, preferably a user selects one of the tie supporting,
anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices for use with a
particular, predetermined type of tie. That said, the tie
supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices may be
interchangeable for the one or more types of ties as discussed
herein.
[0063] Turning now to the details of the figures, FIG. 1A
illustrates at least one embodiment of an apparatus or device 10
attached to at least a portion 3 of a tie 2 (and also attached to a
knot 4 of the tie 2). As best seen in FIGS. 1A-1D, the apparatus 10
includes a body or flex frame 11 having a first portion 12 and a
second portion 13 connected to each other at the ends thereof, and
a buttress element 14 extending from the body or flex frame 11, the
buttress element 14 having a first portion 14a and a second portion
14b that are sized and shaped to define a zone of space between the
first and second portions 14a, 14b. The apparatus 10 is releasably
connectable to the tie 2, and the apparatus 10 operates to keep the
tie 2 in position and prevent loosening, shifting, etc. of the tie
2. The apparatus or device 10 may be placed on the tie 2 after the
tie 2 is placed in a predetermined, desired position on a user 1.
As seen in FIG. 1A, preferably, the apparatus or device 10 is
disposed, or substantially disposed, on a first portion (e.g., a
backside portion; a backside portion (e.g., such as the portion 3)
where, in at least one embodiment, the front side of a tie may be
one or more sides of the tie facing away from the user and the
backside of the tie may be one or more sides of the tie facing
towards the user and/or located between the user and the front side
of the tie; etc.) of a tie knot 4 or of the tie 2 (or other
predetermined tie location, such as, but not limited to, a front
portion (e.g., the larger portion of the tie 2 shown in FIG. 1A)),
and operates to prevent the knot 4 (or other tie portion) of the
tie 2 from slipping downwards or from otherwise becoming undone.
The apparatus or device 10 may be disposed in a back portion, a
middle portion (e.g., between both cloth portions (e.g., the
thinner or short (or back) end (see e.g., the portion 3 of the tie
2) and the thicker or longer (front) end (see e.g., the thicker
portion of the tie 2 as shown in FIG. 1A) of the tie 2)) and/or a
front portion of the tie 2 (or combinations of those portions of
the tie 2). The apparatus or device 10 may include metal, plastic
or other material (see further discussion below) that provides the
structural attributes discussed herein.
[0064] Preferably, the body or flex frame 11 is sized and shaped to
operate to receive and hold therein at least a section of the
portion 3 of the tie 2 and/or the portion of the tie 2. Preferably,
the body or flex frame 11 is substantially O or 0 shaped, thereby
defining a hole or a zone of space in communication with the body
or flex frame 11, such that any portion of the tie 2 disposed
therein is encompassed by the body or flex frame 11. In one
embodiment, the body or flex frame 11 may include a clip (e.g.,
which may be U, V, C, (or ) shaped or substantially U, V, C, (or )
shaped) or other component having a spring or spring-like bias,
such as, but not limited to, the first portion 12 and the second
portion 13 of the body or flex frame 11 connected to each other at
respective ends thereof (see FIGS. 1A-1D). Preferably, the first
portion 12 and the second portion 13 are springingly biased towards
each other, and the body or flex frame 11 may be opened by the user
1 by applying force to the body or flex frame 11 (preferably at the
ends (e.g., end portions 12c, 12d, 13c, 13d as discussed below;
where one or more hinges are located on the ends of the portions
12, 13; etc.) of the portions 12, 13 of the flex frame 11 (see the
user 1 applying such force to the flex frame 11 by pinching same in
FIG. 1B). When the force is removed from the body or flex frame 11,
the body or flex frame 11 (and/or portions thereof, such as the
first and second portions 12, 13) operates to return to its
original, at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration,
thereby having a resilient elasticity. The force may be minimal
and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount based on the needs
of the user 1 and the structure of the apparatus or device 10. As
such, the amount of force may be modified from one embodiment of
the apparatus or device 10 to the next embodiment (see e.g., the
other apparatuses or devices 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, etc. as discussed
herein below) depending on the needs of the user 1. The springing
bias of the first and second portions 12 and 13 of the flex frame
11 may be provided and/or increased by the size and shape of the
first and second portions 12, 13. For example, in at least one
embodiment, the first and second portions 12, 13 may be U, V, C,
(or ) shaped or substantially U, V, C, (or ) shaped, and
positioned, and connected to each other, such that the first and
second portion combination is at least one of ] [shaped, > <
shaped and/or ) (shaped (e.g., the shape of each of the first and
second portions 12, 13 are such that the first and second portions
12, 13 operate to bow or spring towards each other). Preferably,
when the body or flex frame 11 is in its original, at-rest
position, orientation and/or configuration, the body or flex frame
11 operates, and, therefore, the first and second portions 12, 13
of the flex frame 11 operate, to grip and hold the tie 2 (and/or a
portion thereof) in the preselected, predetermined position,
orientation and/or configuration (see e.g., FIGS. 1A and 1D). As
best shown in FIGS. 1B-1C, the first and second portions 12, 13 are
preferably oriented and connected to each other such that each has
respective first or inside surfaces 12b, 13b (e.g., the first or
inside surfaces 12b, 13b substantially face each other; may define
a zone of space therebetween; etc.) and second or outside surfaces
12a, 13a (e.g., the second or outside surfaces 12a, 13a
substantially face away from each other; may define a perimeter of
the body or flex frame 11; etc.), and the first and second portions
12, 13 extend along, substantially parallel to, and/or parallel to
a longitudinal axis, L, extending through the apparatus or device
10 (see FIG. 1C). As such, when the body or flex frame 11 is in its
original, at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration (and
especially when the tie 2 is not disposed therein), the surfaces
12a, 12b, 13a, 13b (and/or at least sections thereof) may be
parallel or substantially parallel to each other. The body or flex
frame 11 may include one or more elevations and depressions (e.g.,
one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex
contours and/or one or more concave contours, etc.; preferably
located on one or both of the first or inside surfaces 12b, 13b but
may be located on one or both of the second or outside surfaces
12a, 13a alternatively or additionally) to better grip the tie 2.
Preferably, the first and second portions 12, 13 have the same
width, height and length. In one or more embodiments, at least one
of the width, height and length of the first and second portions
12, 13 may be different. Preferably, the first and second portions
12, 13 are built into, made integral with, and/or permanently
connected to each other. That said, as discussed further below, the
first and second portions 12, 13 may be releasably connected via
one or more releasable connection means, such as, but not limited
to, hinges, pin-receptacle combinations, latches, etc.
[0065] As best seen in FIGS. 1A and 1D, the buttress element 14
operates to prevent movement of the tie 2 and/or to prevent the
knot 4 from loosening, and one or more portions of the knot 4
and/or the tie 2 may rest in the buttress element 14. Preferably,
the one or more portions of the knot 4 and/or the tie 2 are
disposed in the zone of space located between the first and second
portions 14a, 14b of the buttress element 14. The buttress element
14 is preferably U or V shaped or substantially U or V shaped
(e.g., the first and second portions 14a, 14b are connected to each
other and oriented such that the first and second portions 14a, 14b
define and form the U or V shape or substantial U or V shape).
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structure and
orientation of the first and second portions 14a, 14b with respect
to each other may be modified in various ways while providing the
same benefits described herein. Preferably, the buttress element 14
is connected to the body or flex frame 11, and extends from the
body or flex frame 11 along an axis that is a different axis than
the longitudinal axis, L, of the body or flex frame 11. Preferably,
the buttress element 14 is perpendicular, transverse, substantially
perpendicular and/or substantially transverse to the body or flex
frame 11. Alternatively, the buttress element 14 may extend from
the body or flex frame 11 at any other predetermined, preselected
angle (e.g., 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 30 degrees, in the range of
20-85 degrees, in the range of 0-85 degrees, etc.). Those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the structure and orientation of
the body or flex frame 11 and the buttress element 14 with respect
to each other may be modified in various ways while providing the
same benefits described herein. The buttress element 14 may include
one or more elevations and depressions (e.g., one or more
protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours and/or
one or more concave contours, etc.) to better grip the tie 2. As
best seen in FIGS. 1B-1C, the first portion 14a of the buttress
element may include a curved portion such that the first portion
14a extends from the second portion 14b a predetermined distance
and then curves such that the remaining section of the first
portion 14a is parallel or substantially parallel to the second
portion 14b of the buttress element 14. Preferably, the buttress
element 14 is built into, made integral with, and/or permanently
connected to the body or flex frame 11. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the buttress element 14 may be connected to
the body or flex frame 11 using any methods known to those skilled
in the art, such as, but not limited to, gluing, welding,
press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding,
clamping, screwing, latching, friction-fitting, etc. Additionally
or alternatively, in one or more embodiments (see e.g., FIGS. 3A
and 3B and discussion below), the buttress element 14 may be
releasably connectable to the body or flex frame 11 so that the
buttress element 14 and the body or flex frame 11 may be connected
for use and then disconnected after use, during manufacturing, for
storage, shipment, and/or for any other suitable scenario. For
example, the buttress element 14 may include a clip or clasp 19
(best seen in FIGS. 3A-3B) or other connecting means connected to,
and extending from, the base of the buttress element 14 (e.g., the
base of the second portion 14b of the buttress element 14), the
clip or other connecting means operating to releasably connect the
buttress element 14 to the body or flex frame 11. In one or more
other embodiments, one or more clips or clasps 19 may be connected
to the base of the second portion 14b and/or the first portion 14a
of the buttress element 14. Preferably, the first and second
portions 14a, 14b have the same width, height and length. In one or
more embodiments, at least one of the width, height and length of
the first and second portions 14a, 14b may be different.
[0066] The other embodiments of the tie securing, anchoring and/or
supporting apparatuses or devices 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. as discussed
herein may include the same or similar elements as those included
in the apparatus or device 10 discussed above. Indeed, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the elements (e.g., the
body or flex frame 11; the first and second portions 12, 13 of the
body or flex frame 11; the first and second surfaces 12a, 12b, 13a,
13b of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame 11;
the first ends 12d, 13d of the first and second portions 12, 13 of
the body or flex frame 11; the second ends 12c, 13c of the first
and second portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11; the
buttress element 14; the first and second portions 14a, 14b of the
buttress element 14; the longitudinal axis, L, of the body or flex
frame 11; the hinge 15 of the body or flex frame 11; the pin 18 and
receptacles 16, 17a, 17b of the body or flex frame 11; the clip or
clasp 19 of the buttress element 14; the cinch mechanisms 31, etc.)
of the apparatuses or devices 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. or any other tie
securing, anchoring or supporting apparatuses or devices discussed
herein may operate in the same or similar fashion to those
like-numbered elements of the apparatus or device 10 as discussed
above or any additional like-numbered elements discussed further
herein below. For example, FIGS. 4A-8 as discussed further below
may also show one or more of the same or similar like-numbered
elements as already discussed above for the apparatus or device 10.
Indeed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
aforementioned discussions and teachings regarding such elements
apply to the additional embodiments, such as, but not limited to
the apparatuses or devices 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. as discussed
further below. As such, the subject teachings regarding the
like-numbered elements are not repeated herein below.
[0067] As aforementioned, the first and second portions 12, 13 may
be releasably connected via one or more releasable connection
means, such as, but not limited to, one or more hinges, one or more
pin-receptacle combinations, one or more latches, one or more
latch-catch combinations, etc. As best seen in FIGS. 2A-2B, in an
alternative embodiment of the tie securing, anchoring and/or
supporting device or apparatus 10, the first and second portions
12, 13 may be connected at first respective ends 12d, 13d thereof
by a hinge 15 of the body or flex frame 11, and may be releasably
connected/disconnected from each other at the second respective
ends 12c, 13c thereof by a pin-receptacle combination. For example,
the second portion 13 of the body or flex frame 11 may include one
or more receptacles 17a, 17b, and the first portion 12 of the body
or flex frame 11 may include a receptacle 16 such that, when all of
the receptacles 16, 17a, 17b are aligned (e.g., the receptacle 16
is located between the receptacles 17a, 17b such that the holes
therein are aligned; the holes of the receptacles 16, 17a, 17b are
co-linear; etc.), a pin 18 may be disposed in the receptacles 16,
17a, 17b and through the holes thereof to releasably connect the
second ends 12c, 13c of the first and second portions 12, 13
together (as best seen in FIG. 2B). When the user 1 desires to
disconnect the second ends 12c, 13c (as best seen in FIG. 2A), the
user 1 may remove the pin 18 from the receptacles 16, 17a, 17b.
Preferably, the pin 18 mates with the receptacles 16, 17a, 17b to
prevent piercing/injury to the user 1. While FIG. 2A shows the pin
18 entering the receptacles 16, 17a, 17b in the direction of the
shown arrow (by first entering the receptacle 17a), the pin 18 may
alternatively enter the receptacles 16, 17a, 17b from the opposite
end (by first entering the receptacle 17b).
[0068] As also discussed above, the buttress element 14 may be
releasably connected to the body or flex frame 11 via one or more
releasable connection means, such as, but not limited to, a clip, a
clasp, a screw, a hook, etc. As best seen in FIGS. 3A-3B (showing
the body or flex frame 11 in an open or closed orientation,
configuration and/or position while being disconnected from the
buttress element 14), in an embodiment of the tie securing,
anchoring and/or supporting device or apparatus 10 alternative to
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the buttress element 14 may
further include at least one clasp or clip 19 that operates to
releasably connect the buttress element 14 to the body or flex
frame 11. As such, the user 1 of the apparatus or device 10 may
decide to position either the buttress element 14 or the body or
flex frame 11 on the tie 2 first before connecting the buttress
element 14 and the body or flex frame 11 together. Depending on the
type of tie being used with the apparatus or device 10 and/or
depending on the preference(s) of the user 1, the user 1 may decide
whether it may be easier for the user 1 to install the buttress
element 14 on the tie (such as the tie 2) first, or whether it may
be easier for the user 1 to install the body or flex frame 11 on
the tie (such as the tie 2) first.
[0069] Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus or device 10
may include a magnet to magnet combination that further anchors the
portion of the knot 4 and/or the tie 2. For example, the first and
second portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 may include
material that is attracted to each other via magnetic force(s). By
way of another example, in at least one embodiment, a first magnet
may be disposed on, or connected to, the buttress element 14, and a
second magnet may be disposed such that one or more portions of the
tie 2 (preferably the short end 3 of the tie 2) are located between
the magnets. The magnets may be used instead of a clip and/or a
pin, or may be used in addition to a clip and/or a pin. The first
magnet may be built into, made integral with, and/or permanently
connected to the buttress element 14, or may be connected to the
buttress element 14 using fusing, gluing, bonding, press-fit,
welded, etc.
[0070] As shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, a magnet to magnet combination may
even be used by itself as an alternative way to releasably connect
the first and second portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11
together. As beset seen in FIGS. 4A-4B, the first and second
portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 may include one or
more materials that are attracted to each other, e.g., via magnetic
forces, such as, but not limited to, magnets, at least one magnet
and at least one magnetic metal (e.g., metals that are attracted to
magnets; metal(s) that may operate as magnets; etc.). As best seen
in FIG. 4A, at least one of or both of the first and second
portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 may retain the
aforementioned resilient flexibility and spring-like bias when
including such magnet(s) and/or such metal(s). As shown in the
apparatus or device 20 of FIGS. 4A-4B, the first ends 12d, 13d of
the first and second portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11
may be connected via the hinge or other similar connecting element
15. The second ends 12c, 13c of the first and second portions 12,
13 of the body or flex frame 11 may be connected (e.g., directly
(as best seen in FIG. 4C) and/or indirectly (e.g., through the tie
2, the portion 3 of the tie 2, another portion of the tie 2, etc.
--see e.g., FIG. 4D where the magnetic force(s) may connect the
first and second portions 12, 13 indirectly through the portion 3
of the tie 2 and/or may permit the first and second portions 12, 13
to be connected directly at at least respective portions thereof)
by the attractive force(s) of the magnet(s) and/or the metal(s)
included in the first and second portions 12, 13 of the body or
flex frame 11. The magnetic force(s) is/are sufficient such that
the first and second portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11
may be spaced away from each other for a predetermined distance
(e.g., the thickness of the portion 3 of the tie 2 resting
therebetween; a distance preselected by the user 1; a distance
preselected by a manufacturer of the apparatus 20; etc.), and may
not separate from each other without assistance from the user 1
applying force(s) to the first and second portions 12, 13 to
separate them when desired. As such, while the apparatus or device
20 of FIGS. 4A-4B may not include the pin 18 and receptacle (e.g.,
using the receptacles 16, 17a, 17b) arrangement, the apparatus or
device 20 may include the pin 18 and receptacle (e.g., using the
receptacles 16, 17a, 17b) arrangement if the user 1 desires
additional locking capabilities for the device 20.
[0071] Additionally or alternatively, a tie anchoring, securing
and/or supporting apparatus or device may include a cinch mechanism
that further anchors the tie 2. While the cinch mechanisms
discussed herein may be used with a flex frame, preferably, in one
or more embodiments, the one or more cinch mechanisms are employed
as the body of the devices or apparatuses as an alternative to the
aforementioned flex frame(s) 11 to anchor the tie 2 (as best seen
in FIG. 5A). As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, at least one embodiment of
the tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus or device
30 includes a cinch mechanism 31 instead of the aforementioned flex
frame(s) 11. The cinch mechanism 31 (also referred to as a body of
the apparatus 30) may be attached to the buttress element 14 (and
the first and second portions 14a, 14b of the buttress element 14)
in the same or similar fashion as described above for the body or
flex frame 11. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the cinch mechanism 31 and the buttress element 14 may be
connected to each other using any methods known to those skilled in
the art, such as, but not limited to, gluing, welding,
press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding,
clamping, screwing, latching, friction-fitting, etc. Additionally
or alternatively, in one or more embodiments, the buttress element
14 may be releasably connectable to the cinch mechanism 31 so that
the buttress element 14 and the cinch mechanism 31 may be connected
for use and then disconnected after use, during manufacturing, for
storage, shipment, and/or for any other suitable scenario.
Preferably, the buttress element 14 and the cinch mechanism 31 are
built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to
each other. Preferably, the cinch mechanism 31 includes a spring 39
(best seen in FIG. 5B), and the cinch mechanism 31 has at least two
positions (i.e., a locked or closed position (e.g., where at least
two holes (see e.g., holes 41a, 41b as discussed below) of the
cinch mechanism 31 are misaligned) and an unlocked or open position
(e.g., where the at least two holes (see e.g., holes 41a, 41b as
discussed below) of the cinch mechanism 31 are aligned) as best
seen in FIGS. 5B-5C. For example, the cinch mechanism 31 may
further include a button/actuation element 35 having a hole 41a in
a portion thereof and at least one hole 41b in at least one surface
or wall of the cinch mechanism 31 such that when the holes 41a, 41b
are aligned (as best seen in FIG. 5C), the spring 39 is compressed
and the cinch mechanism 31 is, therefore, in an open or unlocked
position, thereby allowing the portion 3 of the tie 2 to run
through the holes 41a, 41b (best seen in FIG. 5A) and/or to be
removed from the holes 41a, 41b (e.g., after use). In at least one
embodiment of the cinch mechanism 31, the user 1 may push the
button or actuation element 35 to align the holes 41a, 41b to
insert and/or remove the tie 2 therefrom (see e.g., FIG. 5C). When
the user 1 wishes to have the cinch mechanism 31 clamp, hold, grip,
etc. a portion of the tie 2 (e.g., the portion 3 of the tie 2), the
user 1 may simply release the button or actuation element 35, and
the spring 39 will force the holes 41a, 41b to become misaligned
(see e.g., FIG. 5B). In an alternative embodiment, the button or
actuation element 35 and the spring 39 arrangement may be designed
such that the button or actuation element 35 may be pushed to
compress the spring 39, and then pushed again to decompress the
spring 39. For example, when the desired portion of the tie 2 (such
as the portion 3 of the tie 2) is positioned properly (e.g., in a
predetermined location) in the cinch mechanism 31, the user 1 may
push the button 35 to decompress the spring 39 such that the at
least two holes 41a, 41b become misaligned (as best seen in FIG.
5B) such that the cinch mechanism 31 is, therefore, in a closed or
locked position, thereby anchoring, securing and/or supporting a
portion (e.g., the portion 3) of the tie 2 therein (as best seen in
FIGS. 5A and 5D). Alternatively, depending on the positioning of
the hole 41a on the button/actuation element 35, the locked or
closed position may occur when the spring 39 is compressed, and the
unlocked or open position may occur when the spring 39 is
decompressed. The cinch mechanism 31 may anchor, secure and/or
support a portion (e.g., the portion 3) of the tie 2 therein
regardless of whether the buttress element 14 is attached to a
portion of the tie 2 and/or the knot 4 of the tie 2. The button 35
may extend through a first wall or surface 32 (e.g., a front wall
or surface of the cinch mechanism 31; the wall or surface of the
cinch mechanism 31 that faces away from the user 1; a wall or
surface of the cinch mechanism 31 that is located between the
larger, front portion of the tie 2 and the smaller, back portion
(such as the portion 3) of the tie 2; etc.). The spring 39 may
extend from an inside surface (e.g., the inside surface of the back
wall 33) of the cinch mechanism 31.
[0072] The button 35 (e.g., alone, in combination with other
components of the cinch mechanism 31, etc.) and/or any other
actuating member or component may operate to compress and lock the
spring 39 in the locked, closed configuration of the cinch
mechanism 31 as aforementioned. Indeed, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the structure and orientation of the spring 39
and the button 35 with relation to the body of the cinch mechanism
31 discussed herein may be modified in various ways while providing
the benefits described herein. For example, as best seen in the
cross-sectional views of FIGS. 6A-6B (taken along lines 6A-6A and
6B-6B of FIGS. 5B-5C, respectively), at least one embodiment of the
cinch mechanism 31 may further include a second spring 61 and latch
62 mechanism that slides out (e.g., via the force provided by the
spring 61) to lock the spring 39 in the locked configuration of the
cinch mechanism 31 and slides inwards (e.g., when a portion of the
button 35 and/or any other actuation member being used for the
cinch mechanism 31 slides down along a curved, sloped, tapered,
etc. surface of the latch 62, thereby pushing and sliding the latch
62 away from the spring 39; when a latch-catch mechanism holding
the spring 61 and latch 62 mechanism in the locked position (and/or
a decompressed position for the spring 61) is released, etc.) and
thereby compressing the spring 61 a predetermined distance to allow
the spring 39 to decompress and push the button 35 towards and into
the unlocked, open configuration of the cinch mechanism 31.
Preferably, while not a requirement for the cinch mechanism 31, at
least a portion of the button 35 extends between, and is guided by,
tracks, rails or guideposts 35a, 35b, and at least a portion of the
spring 61 and latch 62 mechanism is guided by, and extends between,
tracks, rails or guideposts 63, 64 (best seen in FIGS. 6A-6B). The
cinch mechanism 31 may be used instead of the magnets, clip, and/or
pin elements discussed above.
[0073] Additionally or alternatively, the buttress element 14 may
be integrated with the cinch mechanism 31 such that the cinch
mechanism 31 may not require the button 35 but may instead use at
least one portion (e.g., the portion 14a, the portion 14b, etc.) of
the buttress element 14 to actuate, and compress and/or decompress,
the spring 39, thereby controlling the locking and unlocking of the
cinch mechanism 31. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, at least
one embodiment of the apparatus or device 40 may include a cinch
mechanism 31 where the hole 41 a is positioned on, and extends
through, a surface or wall (e.g., the back surface or wall 33) of
the cinch mechanism 31 and the hole 41b is positioned, and extends
through, another surface or wall (e.g., the front surface or wall
32, a top surface or wall, a bottom surface or wall, etc.) of the
cinch mechanism 31. At least one portion (e.g., the portion 14a as
shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; the portion 14b; etc.) of the buttress
element 14 may be attached to, and extend into, the body of the
cinch mechanism 31, and may include a third hole 41c on at least a
section of the portion (e.g., the portion 14a as shown in FIGS.
7A-7B; the portion 14b; etc.) of the buttress element 14. The
spring 39 may be located between the portion (e.g., the portion 14a
as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; the portion 14b; etc.) of the buttress
element 14 and a surface or wall (e.g., the bottom surface or wall
34 as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B) of the cinch mechanism 31 such that the
at least one portion (e.g., the portion 14a as shown in FIGS.
7A-7B; the portion 14b; etc.) of the buttress element 14 may
operate to compress and/or decompress the spring 39. Thus, when all
three holes 41a, 41b, 41c are aligned (as best seen in FIG. 7B),
the spring 39 is compressed and the cinch mechanism 31 is,
therefore, in an open or unlocked position, thereby allowing the
portion 3 of the tie 2 to run through, and/or be disposed in, the
holes 41a, 41b, 41c and/or to be removed from the holes 41a, 41b,
14c (e.g., after use). When the desired portion of the tie 2 (such
as the portion 3 of the tie 2) is positioned properly (e.g., in a
predetermined location) in the cinch mechanism 31, the user 1 may
release or push the at least one portion (e.g., the portion 14a as
shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; the portion 14b; etc.) of the buttress
element 14 to decompress the spring 39 such that the spring 39
causes the third hole 41c to misalign from at least one of the
first and second holes 41a, 41b (as best seen in FIG. 7A). As a
result, the cinch mechanism 31 is in a closed or locked position,
thereby anchoring, securing and/or supporting a portion (e.g., the
portion 3) of the tie 2 therein. Alternatively, depending on the
positioning of the hole 41c on the at least one portion (e.g., the
portion 14a as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; the portion 14b; etc.) of the
buttress element 14, the locked or closed position of the cinch
mechanism 31 may occur when the spring 39 is compressed (e.g., the
spring 39 is locked in a compressed position), and the unlocked or
open position may occur when the spring 39 is decompressed. For
example, the at least one portion of the buttress element 14 (e.g.,
the portion 14a of the buttress element 14 that is disposed in the
knot 4 of the tie 2, the portion 14b, etc.) may be moved towards,
and/or further into, the cinch mechanism 31 of the apparatus or
device 40 (e.g., the spring 39 is compressed) to align/misalign the
three holes 41a, 41b, 41c or, in one or more other embodiments, may
be moved away from the cinch mechanism 31 (e.g., by using the force
of the spring 39; by the user 1 pulling on the at least one portion
of the buttress element 14; etc.) of the apparatus or device 40 to
align the three holes 41a, 41b, 41c, depending on the location of
the third hole 41c of the at least one portion (e.g., the portion
14a as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; the portion 14b; etc.) of the buttress
element 14.
[0074] Additionally or alternatively, the cinch mechanism 31 may be
of any geometric shape or cross-sectional geometric shape while
still possessing the structural attributes and features discussed
herein. For example, as best seen in FIG. 8, a tie securing,
anchoring and/or supporting apparatus or device 80 may include the
buttress element 14 attached to the cinch mechanism 31, where the
cinch mechanism 31 has a triangular cross-sectional shape. In such
an embodiment, the first and second holes 41a, 41b may be disposed
on and in communication with surfaces 33, 32, respectively, as
shown. Alternatively, the surface 33 could be oriented to be
parallel to surface 32 such that the cinch mechanism has a
parallelogram-shaped or other geometric-shaped cross-section (e.g.,
the surface 33 starts a predetermined distance from where the
portion 14b enters the cinch mechanism 31 and extends parallel or
substantially parallel to the surface 32 and towards the bottom
surface or wall (e.g., the surface from which the spring 39
extends, the wall from which the spring 39 extends, the surface or
wall from which the stand or angled surface 82 extends, etc.) of
the cinch mechanism 31 such that the bottom surface or wall of the
cinch mechanism 31 against which the spring 39 is disposed directly
or indirectly (e.g., a stand or angled surface 82 may be provided
such that the spring 39 extends between the stand or angled surface
82 and the portion of the buttress element 14 (e.g., the portion
14a as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; the portion 14b; etc.) as best seen in
FIG. 8), and extends therefrom, is shorter than as shown in FIG. 8;
the cinch mechanism 31 is sized and shaped such that the body
thereof operates to guide the portion 14b and/or the spring 39
therein; the spring 39 and the portion 14b of the buttress element
14 could extend through the body of the cinch mechanism 31 where
the surfaces 32 and 33 would operate to guide the spring 39 and/or
the portion 14b of the buttress element 14 therein; etc.). In one
or more other embodiments, the holes 41a, 41b may be located on one
or more other surfaces of the cinch mechanism 31 while still
operating with the structural attributes and features as discussed
herein. Indeed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
structure and orientation of the first and second portions holes
41a, 41b with respect to each other may be modified in various ways
while providing the same benefits described herein. At least one
portion (e.g., the portion 14b, the portion 14a, etc.) of the
buttress element 14 may operate to actuate the spring 39 by sliding
in and out of the cinch mechanism 31 along an axis, L1, or along an
axis that is substantially parallel or parallel to the axis, L1 (as
shown in FIG. 8). A portion (e.g., the second portion 14b, the
first portion 14a, etc.) of the buttress element 14 may include the
third hole 41c thereon such that the portion (e.g., the second
portion 14b, the first portion 14a, etc.) of the buttress element
14 operates in combination with the spring 39 to lock and close,
and/or unlock and open, the cinch mechanism 31 for the user 1 to
dispose the tie 2 therein and/or remove the tie 2 therefrom. The
apparatus or device 80 may include one or more other actuation
mechanisms as discussed herein, including, but not limited to, the
spring 61 and latch 62 mechanism. Indeed, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the structure and orientation of the cinch
mechanism 31 may be modified to include any actuation mechanisms
known to those skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, a
latch-catch mechanism, a lock-unlock mechanism, a
compression-decompression mechanism, etc. while providing the cinch
mechanism 31 with the same or similar benefits, features and/or
structural attributes described herein.
[0075] The one or more embodiments of the apparatuses or devices
10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. may include a pin (e.g., the pin 18 as
discussed above, or an additional pin extending from the
apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) that further
secures the tie 2 (or portion (e.g., the portion 3) thereof).
Preferably, the pin (e.g., the pin 18 as discussed above, or an
additional pin extending from the apparatuses or devices 10, 20,
30, 40, 80, etc.) mates with a pin receptacle (e.g., the pin
receptacles 16, 17a, 17b, or additional receptacles added to
correspond to the additional pin extending from the apparatuses or
devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) to prevent piercing/injury. The
apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. may use the pin
(e.g., the pin 18 as discussed above, or an additional pin
extending from the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.)
and pin receptacle (e.g., the pin receptacles 16, 17a, 17b, or
additional receptacles added to correspond to the additional pin
extending from the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.)
instead of a clip to achieve the desired supporting, anchoring
and/or securing functionality. Preferably, the pin (e.g., the pin
18 as discussed above, or an additional pin extending from the
apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) is disposed
perpendicularly, transversely, substantially perpendicularly and/or
substantially transversely to at least one of the buttress element
14, the body or flex frame 11 and the cinch mechanism 31. The pin
(e.g., the pin 18 as discussed above, or an additional pin
extending from the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.)
may also be disposed along an axis that is different from at least
one of: the longitudinal axis, L, of the body or flex frame 11,
from a longitudinal axis of the buttress element 14, and/or from a
longitudinal axis of the cinch mechanism 31. The pin (e.g., the pin
18 as discussed above, or an additional pin extending from the
apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) may be oriented
towards the user 1 or away from the user 1 such that the pin
receptacle (e.g., the pin receptacles 16, 17a, 17b, or additional
receptacles added to correspond to the additional pin extending
from the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) may be
placed at least one of: under one or more portions (e.g., the
portion 3 of the tie, the knot 4 of the tie, another portion of the
tie 2, etc.) of the tie 2 of the user 1, under or through a shirt
of the user 1, and on top of the tie 2 of the user 1. Preferably,
the pin receptacle (e.g., the pin receptacles 16, 17a, 17b, or
additional receptacles added to correspond to the additional pin
extending from the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.)
is hidden from view.
[0076] One or more components (e.g., the body or flex frame 11, the
buttress element 14, any other components further discussed below,
etc.) of the one or more embodiments of the tie securing, anchoring
and/or supporting devices discussed herein (e.g., apparatuses or
devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) may be made of inexpensive and/or
lightweight components or materials, such as, but not limited to,
one or more of the following: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane
polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber,
cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with
air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer,
cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially
resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, magnetic
material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber.
[0077] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structure
and orientation of the buttress element 14 with relation to the
body or flex frame(s) 11 and/or the cinch mechanism(s) 31 discussed
herein may be modified in various ways while providing the benefits
described herein. For example, the buttress element 14 may extend:
(i) from one or more other surfaces or walls of the body or flex
frame(s) 11 and/or the cinch mechanism(s) 31; and/or (ii) at one or
more different angles in relation to the body or flex frame(s) 11
and/or the cinch mechanism(s) 31, and the buttress element 14 may
be sized and shaped to have different geometric shapes, such as,
but not limited to, substantially circular, circular, substantially
semi-circular, semi-circular, ovular, semi-ovular, point or pointed
(e.g., conical or substantially conical in shape), post-shaped,
pillar-shaped, bar-shaped, spring-shaped, coil-shaped, etc., as
further discussed herein.
[0078] Additionally or alternatively, one or more components of the
apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. (e.g., the buttress
element 14; the portions 14a, 14b of the buttress element 14; the
body or flex frame 11; the portions 12, 13 of the body or flex
frame 11; the one or more surfaces 32, 33, 34, etc. of the cinch
mechanism 31; the cinch mechanism 31; etc) may include one or more
contours, tapers, slopes, chamfered surfaces or other shapes
therein and/or thereon while still maintaining the one or more
structural attributes provided by such apparatuses or devices 10,
20, 30, 40, 80, etc. as described above. For example, depending on
the type of tie being used by the user 1, the portion 14a of the
buttress element 14 may be sized and shaped differently than the
portion 14b of the buttress element 14. By way of another example,
the portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 may have different
sizes, shapes, contours, slopes, tapers, etc. as desired.
[0079] One or more features, elements, aspects, etc. of the
device(s)/invention(s) (such as, but not limited to, the tie
securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatuses or devices 10,
20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) as discussed herein may be employed when
practicing the method(s) of using the invention. For example, a
method of using an apparatus or device (e.g., apparatus or device
10, 20, etc.) having a flex frame 11 includes at least the steps
of: (i) applying a force to a body or flex frame 11 of the
apparatus or device (e.g., apparatus or device 10, 20, etc.) to
open, or expand a hole of, the body or flex frame 11 a
predetermined amount such that a portion (e.g., the portion 3) of
the tie 2 may be disposed into the body or flex frame 11 and/or the
hole thereof; and (ii) releasing or removing the force placed on
the body or flex frame 11 of the apparatus or device (e.g.,
apparatus or device 10, 20, etc.) such that the resilient
elasticity and/or the spring-like bias of the body or flex frame 11
and/or the portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 (which are
springingly biased towards each other) operate to close, or narrow
the hole of, the body or flex frame 11, thereby anchoring,
securing, locking and/or supporting the portion (e.g., the portion
3) of the tie 2 in a predetermined, pre-selected position,
orientation and/or configuration.
[0080] In one or more additional methods of using a tie securing,
anchoring and/or supporting apparatus or device (e.g., apparatus or
device 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.), the one or more additional
methods may include the steps of: (i) opening the body or flex
frame 11 by separating at least two portions 12, 13 of the body or
flex frame 11; (ii) disposing a portion (e.g., the portion 3) of
the tie 2 into and/or onto the body or flex frame 11 or removing
the portion (e.g., the portion 3) of the tie 2 from the body or
flex frame 11; and (iii) closing the at least two portions 12, 13
of the body or flex frame 11, wherein the at least two portions 12,
13 of the body or flex frame 11 are closed by at least one of: (i)
a pin and receptacle arrangement; and (ii) one or more magnetic
forces drawing the at least two portions 12, 13 together.
[0081] In one or more additional methods of using a tie securing,
anchoring and/or supporting apparatus or device (e.g., apparatus or
device 30, 40, 80, etc.) using the cinch mechanism(s) 31 as
discussed herein, the one or more additional methods may include
the steps of: (i) aligning at least two holes 41a, 41b to unlock
and open the cinch mechanism 31; (ii) disposing a portion (e.g.,
the portion 3) of the tie 2 into and/or through the at least two
holes 41a, 41b of the cinch mechanism 31 or removing the portion
(e.g., the portion 3) of the tie 2 from the at least two holes 41a,
41b of the cinch mechanism 31; and (iii) misaligning the at least
two holes 41a, 41b of the cinch mechanism 31 to lock and close the
cinch mechanism 31. The cinch mechanism 31 may include at least a
third hole 41c which operates to open and unlock the cinch
mechanism 31 when aligned with the at least two holes 41a, 41b and
to close and lock the cinch mechanism 31 when misaligned with at
least one of the at least two holes 41a, 41b. The one or more
additional methods may further include using at least one of a
button-spring arrangement and an actuator-spring arrangement (e.g.,
where one or more portions (e.g., the portion 14a, the portion 14b,
etc.) of the buttress element 14 operate as the actuator) to align
and misalign the at least two or three holes 41a, 41b, 41c.
[0082] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *